Stephen Strasburg: 6 Reasons It's a Wrong Baseball Move to Start Him Opening Day

Stephen Strasburg is going to be one of the top pitchers in baseball within the next two or three years.

For now, the Washington Nationals know they have to be careful with their star phenom so he doesn't overdo it more than a year after Tommy John surgery.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has said that Strasburg is on a 160-inning limit. Rizzo said he is not going to alter his schedule, instead having him pitch every fifth day until he runs out of innings. And, it all starts on Opening Day against the Cubs on April 5.

Here are six reasons why it's a bad idea for the Nationals to start Strasburg on Opening Day.

6. There's a Day off the Next Day

Opening the year at Chicago, the Nationals have an off-day the day after Opening Day.

When you have a player that is on an innings limit, this isn't good, especially considering you're playing the Cubs.

If you want him to get the feeling of what it will be like to pitch every fifth day, then don't have him start the season where there's an off-day the next day.

Although that happens during the middle of the season, it basically gets rid of six or seven innings one game into the season.

5. You're on the Road

You're playing in Chicago.

How much money can you make off of Strasburg starting in Chicago?

If you wait until your home opener, you can have him pitch in three games on a homestand, as the Nationals have an 11-game homestand after traveling to Chicago and New York.

4. You Don't Have Him for a Playoff Run

Now, I'm not saying the Nationals will make the playoffs, but they have a chance.

With Bryce Harper expected to get called up before the All-Star break this year, you're going to have the offensive firepower to close out the season, but you won't have the pitching firepower.

I know the Nationals still feel like they're a year away from making a serious run at the playoffs—I don't see any reason why they should settle for next year.

They should go after it this year, and as we saw last year with the Braves, you need to have all of your horses during a run for the playoffs.

3. More Quality Opponents on Home Stand

Would you rather have Strasburg starting games against the Cubs and Mets, or the Reds, Astros and Marlins?

The games against the first two are very winnable for the Nats without Strasburg, as is the game against the Astros.

But, the games against the Reds and Marlins are exactly the type of games the team is going to need him to start in, which they will have him, but instead of it being his first three starts of the season, they will be starts three through five.

By the time Strasburg finishes his first home stand, he could have 30-plus innings already in the books, which shortens the amount of time he can make a difference with the Nationals.

2. He Hasn't Earned It

I understand all the hype that is surrounding Strasburg, and there's no doubt that if he wasn't on an innings limit, he'd probably get the start there.

However, has he really earned the right to be the Opening Day starter?

I know he has all the tools to do so, but what has he proven over a long period of time in pro baseball?

Instead, I think the Nationals should have gone with newly acquired Gio Gonzalez or Jordan Zimmerman with the start.

Mainly, I'd pick Zimmerman because of all that he proved last year for the team.

1. Did I Mention He's Not at Home?

When you have a stud pitcher on your roster with an innings limit, it's a good business decision to have him start as many games at home as possible.

With him making starts on the road, other teams are getting the financial gain of having him pitch.

When you pitch him at home, that equals more butts in the seats, more money spent on concessions and more money spent on souvenirs.

And for a team that is looking to spend more and more each year to compete in the NL East, bringing more money in will allow for you to do that.