Stephen Strasburg: 5 Keys to Reserving Bullets to Dominate All Year Long

There's a myth out there that Stephen Strasburg is on an innings limit of 160.

However, an article by Baseball Prospectus (subscription required) quoted Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo as saying the media put the 160-inning limit out there, likely from the number of innings Jordan Zimmerman pitched last year.

Although the number is not a hard cap, you can expect him to be shut down some time between 160 and 180 innings.

So far, Strasburg has thrown 13 innings in two starts.

With the Nationals currently leading the National League East with a 7-3 record, one would think the team is serious about contending for a playoff spot this year.

However, Strasburg likely won't be helping when it comes to September.

Here's a look at five things, however, that the Nationals and Strasburg can do to ensure he pitches as deep into the season as possible.

Make Bullpen Moves

Currently, closer Drew Storen is on the disabled list.

Other than him, the Nationals have Brad Lidge, Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard with solidified spots in the bullpen.

After that, there are some struggles with Henry Rodriguez, Tom Gorzelanny, Ryan Mattheus and Craig Stammen.

To say the least, the Nationals need at least one more reliever manager Davey Johnson can be confident in.

Sure, they have had early success so far this year, but I don't believe they can sustain it over the course of the season.

I'd like to see them make one move before the trade deadline, possibly for a long reliever who will allow Johnson to get Strasburg out of the game, regardless of the score.

You may say this won't make much of a difference, but when you have confidence in your bullpen, you don't have to keep your starter in any longer than what is necessary.

Go After Hitters

One thing Strasburg has been good about so far is going after hitters.

When he goes after hitters, and doesn't nibble on the corners, he tends to have more success.

He already has the speed and velocity to hit his spots on the plate.

By doing that, he'll cut down on his pitch count and give himself a few more innings to work with at the end of the year.

Who knows, that could make a huge difference in the playoff race.

Don't Feel Like He Has to Go Every 5th Day

Just because he's your No. 1 starter doesn't mean he has to go every fifth day.

Johnson would be smart to occasionally have Strasburg pitch on six days' rest just to stretch him a little further into the season.

Currently, Strasburg will pitch against the Astros (why?) Monday, with his next start coming Saturday against the Marlins.

With an off day two days later, why not hold him until Sunday? That way you add two extra days to his season.

Maybe I'm over-thinking the innings cap, but if Johnson does this over the course of a season, he could probably extend Strasburg's season by a few weeks, helping the Nationals later in the year to make a playoff run.

Hold Strasburg from Certain Games

Two years ago, the Phillies reworked their rotation at the end of the year to ensure Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt were starting the three games in a series with the Braves.

The Nationals could do the same thing with Strasburg, just on a smaller scale.

In my opinion, there's no reason why Strasburg needs to be facing teams like the Astros, Rockies, Padres and Pirates.

When you have your top guy on a limit, you want to use him in games that will make the most difference.

So games you need to ensure he's pitching in are ones against other teams in the division and some of the other top teams in the league.

And with an interleague schedule against the American League East, it would be wise to use him against the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays, rather than the Orioles and Blue Jays.

Have him face the better teams and you give yourself a better opportunity at winning those games with Strasburg on the mound.

2-Week All-Star Break

Prior to the All-Star break, the Nationals will face the Rockies and Giants.

Instead of having him pitch in those series, have him pitch in the last game of the series with the Braves on July 1, then shut him down until after the the break.

Doing so will give Strasburg an 11-day break, with the Marlins being his first start back on July 13.

This will also put the right-hander in line to pitch against the Marlins, Mets (twice) and Brewers coming out of the break.

And that would fall in line with my previous statement about having Strasburg pitch against the better teams in the league.

Chris Stephens is a featured columnist for the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals on Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @chris_stephens6.