They’ll say it’s not about the money. But it’s very much about the money.
The Nationals have mapped out Stephen Strasburg’s September schedule, and in what should come as a surprise to no one, the plan is for him to keep pitching at Nationals Ballpark.
Strasburg, who made his season debut Tuesday against the Dodgers, was already set to pitch on four days’ rest Sunday against the Astros in D.C. He’ll make his subsequent two starts on five days’ rest Sept. 17 against the Marlins and Sept. 23 against the Braves.
If all three outings go as hoped, the Nats said there’s a chance he could start Sept. 28 in Florida in what will be the team’s season finale. Still, that’s not part of the plan at this point.
Unless Strasburg makes that start, all four of his September outings will have come at home. And who can blame the Nats for trying to work things out that way? Half the reason they made the announcement now is to try to sell tickets for those dates. There just isn’t much other reason for Nationals fans to head to the ballpark at the moment.