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Washington Nationals: When will Stephen Strasburg surpass Max Scherzer?

By Tim Boyle

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Washington Nationals starting pitchers Max Scherzer (31)and Stephen Strasburg (37) throw in the outfield prior to game five of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Washington Nationals starting pitchers Max Scherzer (31)and Stephen Strasburg (37) throw in the outfield prior to game five of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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Max Scherzer is the clear number one starter in the Washington Nationals rotation. Someday, that gig will belong to their number two, Stephen Strasburg. When do they swap roles?

Scherzer. Scherzer. Scherzer. If Stephen Strasburg was a weaker man, he might whine about teammate Max Scherzer in a very Jan Brady way. For as great as he is, the Washington Nationals starter is only the second best pitcher on his team. That’s because Scherzer is arguably one of the best in baseball with two consecutive Cy Young wins to defend the high praise.

One day, Strasburg should become the number one guy in Washington. After seeing him finish number three in the Cy Young voting last year, it could come sooner than later.

The transition is always an unusual one to see. When does a manager decide that his ace needs to ride shotgun? Many times it begins with an Opening Day start going to someone other than the usual candidate. However, in this case, it’s a little different.

Strasburg already started on Opening Day for the Nationals last season. This move wasn’t an insult to Scherzer as he required a little more time to prepare for regular season action. If Strasburg does get the nod over Scherzer at some point with the latter healthy, that’s when the changing of the guard becomes official.

Not many teams face the problematic yet somewhat trivial decision in naming an Opening Day starter. In their own division, the New York Mets may also struggle between awarding it to Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard. Other organizations will base their decision on experience or because they have only one name to choose from.

When Strasburg surpasses Scherzer

Two things must happen for Strasburg to pass Scherzer. The first is up to him. Strasburg needs to continue dominating on the mound. If he can repeat his 2017 numbers regularly for the next few years, he has done his job.

The other more fatalistic way is for Scherzer to decline. About to embark upon his age 33 season, this unfortunate event in all of our lives looms.

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Scherzer is far from your average pitcher, though. He has yet to show any signs of slowing down. If Strasburg wants to become the Marcia Brady of this rotation, he’s going to have to win it. Schadenfreude doesn’t look good on him anyway.

A pitcher Scherzer compares to give us a hint at when his downfall finally arrives. Roy Halladay joined the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of his age 33 campaign. He went on to win 21 games and a Cy Young. He was great the following year, too.

Sadly, his third year with the Phillies featured lots of injuries and a 4.49 ERA. The next year was a total disaster and the last season of his career.

Using Halladay’s path, Scherzer has two more years of greatness left in him. There’s no guarantee, but it’s an excellent base.

Next: Nationals: Top 10 Rookie-Eligible Prospects for 2018

For Strasburg, this means some great competition in his own locker room.

So what if it means being the David Spade in this combination? Strasburg has plenty of years left to make his legacy.

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