MLB Betting Odds – Strasburg Will Debut for Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals are sending the most hyped rookie to come to baseball in years. Stephen Strasburg comes in the Majors with hype to match that of LeBron James or Sidney Crosby. The Nationals are selling standing room only tickets for tonight’s game which is unheard of for the Nats and even more so considering they host the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The MLB odds makers believe the Strasburg hype; they have the Washington Nationals as -220 moneyline favorites on the MLB betting line, the comeback on the Pittsburgh Pirates is +180. The predicted MLB game total is 8½ runs. 

MLB Betting Odds
June 8, 2010
Pittsburgh Pirates            +1½ -110              +180
Jeff Karstens – R                              
Washington Nationals    -1½ -110               -220
Stephen Strasburg – R
Game Total         8½
Location: Nationals Park, Washington DC
Game Time: 7:05 pm
TV: FSPI, MASN2

The Pirates are dropping fast and the Nationals have no illusions about winning too many games this season but there is a major difference between the Nats and the Pirates. That difference is hope; the Nationals have selected a couple of potential superstars in the draft that seem like sure things.

Last night the Nationals had the first pick in the MLB baseball entry draft and they used the pick to selected Bryce Harper whose hype has been on par with that of Strasburg. Strasburg though is here and now, he’ll be bringing his 100mph fastball to the mound tonight for his major league debut.

In 11 minor league games, Strasburg had just 4 wins, 1 loss, 38 strikeouts; an ERA of 1.30, and the Nationals, the fans and the rest of baseball is expecting much of the same.

Looking back its hard to remember a MLB debut with as much hype surrounding it as Stephen Strasburg’s; Braves’ rookie Jason Heyward had built up a nice fan club in Atlanta with his great spring, Joe Mauer felt the hype of his debut but it was surrounded by opening day festivities. Albert Pujols was a highly anticipated star but he began with the Cardinals as a role player. Probably the two best comparisons are Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989 and Mark Prior in 2002. Realistically, Strasburg’s career could go in either direction, Ken Griffey Jr. retired as the greatest non-enhanced player of this era or like Mark Prior, who showed flashes of his greatness but his body couldn’t keep up with the demands and he’s burnt himself out as another case of lost potential.

The Nats need a player to believe in, the franchise has been in disarray since long before its move to Washington. Strasburg could be that player to give the DC area its own baseball legend but considering the Nats history of disappointment, I’m going to reserve my judgment of Stephen Strasburg until I see whether his arm blows out or not.