The Washington Nationals face elimination against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, and their ace pitcher, Stephen Strasburg, wasn’t scheduled to be on the mound — despite being on full rest.
But why did the right-hander decline to pitch in Game 4 of the National League Division Series with his team trailing 2-1, before reversing course later and saying he’d pitch? Well, he’s “under the weather,” and Chicago is entering peak mold season, according to Nationals manager Dusty Baker.
This had ESPN baseball analyst and former Cub David Ross feeling a little queasy himself.
“If I’m (Strasburg’s) teammate… I can’t make eye contact with this dude,” Ross said during “Baseball Tonight” on Tuesday.
Fellow analyst and former major leaguer Mark Teixeira also had harsh words for Strasburg.
“This is simple, unless this guy is in the hospital and getting fluids and can’t even go to the ballpark, he’s gotta be on the mound,” Teixeira said, via The Washington Post.
Listen, it’s always tricky criticizing someone when you don’t know the full extent of their illness or injury. But Strasburg, and the Nationals, aren’t doing the 29-year-old any favors.
The Nats and Cubs were supposed to play Game 4 at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, but rain postponed the game until Wednesday. Given the inclement weather, as well as Wrigley’s notoriously cramped quarters, you’d think a sick Strasburg would stay home, rest up and — perhaps most importantly — stay away from his teammates, right?
As a matter of fact, he was at the “Friendly Confines” on Tuesday, playing catch with his teammates, according to the Post. Not a good look.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
