So that’s what you’re going with? An unscientific poll that doesn’t even begin to take the entire demographic of real DC baseball fans? Ha. OK…

I guess I have lost this argument.

Except, you know, that thing called a title. Oh that’s right – you fans in DC seem to think that you already have a dynasty.

Good luck with that!

Go back to Dupont and putting polls in your sandbox alice.

Oh wait, right. Intelligent discouse = above your head. Forgot about that. Go back to that sandbox now, Stevie.

Great Caesar’s Ghost, don’t tell me your fat Michigan ass is actually in DC! And here I was, preparing a response to your whole “DC Dipshit” comment.

Hey, lard-o! No one invited you. If you can’t respond to an intelligent conversation, go play in the sandbox.

Wow…I’ve already given you more time than you’re worth.

The fans here in DC think Rizzo is a fat stupid naysayer & so does Davey Johnson!

Just have Strasburg pitch left handed from here on out.

[insert photo of someone flipping you off]

Since your data contradicts my opinion, I choose to ignore it.

Actually wait…Strasburg is starting against the Cardinals on Sunday? Fuck that, shut him down now!

This is a fair point. Also a fair point? They took this exact same approach with Jordan Zimmerman, who is in many ways a better pitcher than Strasburg is this season. There’s absolutely no reason to deviate from a plan that has already worked.

It’s a gamble that Rizzo is willing to take and he is betting your title hopes against it.

Oh no! Not my title hopes! I demand a refund!

Seriously, do you think these decisions are made on a whim? Do you not recognize that management is taking a huge chance here, not just for this season, but also for the fans to possibly not come back if they don’t win it all?

Jesus H. Christ. For the first time in a VERY long time, we see a story of a billion dollar company actually taking steps to protect the individual, instead of throwing him back out there to generate short-term cash, and we’re actively rallying AGAINST this? I’m as liberal as the next guy, but even I have to agree with the decision to protect his future.

Rizzo is trying to be too cerebral here. There is no magic formula that tells you how many innings a pitcher can safely throw without injuring themselves.

Who said this was a discussion or decision about stats? It’s about preserving his career. It’s about not turning him into another Kerry Wood. And, ultimately, like it or not, it’s about protecting the investment. It has nothing to do with “personal stats.” What does that even mean?

This makes no sense and here in the DMV area people are outraged about sitting their ace.

Let’s see your facts. I’ll show you mine:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/26/twtjz-analytics-poll-shut-stephen-strasburg-down/

http://www.wtop.com/490/3009447/Talkback-Should-Strasburg-be-shut-down

http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=27488.25

Each of those links will show you that Nats fans, and non-cranky Americans everywhere, want Strasburg shut down.

So…where’s your data?

Let’s say the Nats make the playoffs, and they do put Strasburg back in the rotation. Yet the Nats wind up losing anyhow. In addition, Strasburg suffers another arm injury. What would you have to say then? Would it be worth it?

It’s true you can’t predict the future, and that this may be the Nationals’ best chance at a ring for many years to come. It’s also true that we don’t know for certain whether or not Strasburg’s arm will fall off if he pitches 180 innings instead of 160. But we do know two things: 1) This is Strasburg’s 1st full season back from TJ surgery, and 2) the Nats have lots of talent locked under team control for the next few years. Given these two facts, I can forgive Nats management for taking the long view.

If Stras is going to breakdown, he is going to breakdown. Some players are just prone to it – ask Eric Davis. But there is no proven science anywhere that says by shutting him down, you stave off injury. It’s a gamble that Rizzo is willing to take and he is betting your title hopes against it.

Don’t get me wrong, I hope they shut him down. I would much rather face Lannan the next time we meet. I just think its a bad choice.