Washington Nationals Will Succeed Even If Stephen Strasburg Gets Shut Down

If it were up to me, we wouldn't still be talking about Stephen Strasburg and his highly controversial innings limit. 

If the decision were mine, the Nationals' ace would unquestionably be pitching in the postseason, even if it took a fictitious injury to land him on the DL for the last month or so of the season. 

But unfortunately, it isn't my call. 

And all signs indicate that Washington will shut down the hard-throwing phenom once he reaches 160 innings on the year. 

A decision that has left players in question and an entire fan base in utter disarray is one that could ultimately spell disaster for the Nationals' front office. With the best record in the bigs, it appears that D.C. finally has a team poised to make a run not just at the playoffs, but the World Series. 

So just imagine the PR nightmare if they lose a close series while Strasburg watches from the bench. 

There is no question that it is a decision for the future. A tough choice to protect the best interest of the organization moving forward. 

But in a league where things can change in the blink of an eye, nothing is guaranteed. The Nationals can't promise fans they will be in the same position next year. 

So isn't the decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg at 160 innings essentially a forfeiture of the season? A concession of their chance at a World Series title?

Not quite...

Here are three reasons the Nationals' young rotation will continue to succeed even in the absence of their ace. 

No. 1?

Almost anybody walking the streets of D.C. could tell you that Stephen Strasburg is the ace of the Nationals' staff.

But through 127 games, I could make an argument that his teammate deserves not only that same title, but the NL Cy Young award too. 

Jordan Zimmermann knows all too well what Strasburg is going through this season after enduring the exact process one year prior. The 26-year-old righty underwent Tommy John in 2009 and was placed under the same 160 innings limit last year. 

Now, three full seasons removed from surgery, Zimmermann is having the breakout type of year everyone around the Nationals organization has expected. Despite being slotted third in Washington's rotation, Zimmermann's production resembles that of a true No. 1 pitcher. 

He's given the Nats 20 quality starts in just 24 attempts while posting the majors' second lowest ERA to date (2.38). Through over 151 innings pitched, Zimmermann has walked only 27 batters, and his 4.5 WAR is more than a point higher than Strasburg's. 

His record doesn't reflect his performance (9-7). However, Zimmermann has undoubtedly been Washington's most reliable starter thus far given the circumstances.

And while it is tough to take anything away from Strasburg—just look at his numbers—it might be time to share the love in Washington. 

No "I" in Team

Certainly, the loss of a guy once crowned baseball's most-hyped pick in draft history doesn't help the Nationals' chances.

But if there is one thing Washington can afford to spare, it's a starting pitcher. 

That's because the Nationals currently possess one of the best pitching staffs in recent history. Their overall team ERA (3.27) leads the majors by a considerable margin, and the numbers for the starters are even more impressive. 

Washington's starting five leads the majors in ERA, BAA and WHIP. They rank fourth in strikeouts and have surrendered fewer home runs than all but St. Louis.

The surprising statistics speak to the young talent the Nationals have drafted and developed, as well as the depth that they now possess. One through five, no team in the bigs can match up with Washington's rotation. 

And in a five or seven game playoff series, pitching usually prevails. 

Edwin Jackson has the highest earned run average of all Nationals starting pitchers (3.74). Yet, I could make the argument that he would be the best pitcher on half of the teams in baseball. 

It isn't crazy to suggest that Washington has three true No. 1 starters. 

Looking at the current standings, Jordan Zimmermann or Gio Gonzalez could realistically start Game 1 for six of the nine remaining playoff teams. 

And Ross Detwiler isn't far behind.

Any way you look at it, sitting Strasburg in October is a bold strategy that will inevitably stir a reaction from fans. But GM Mike Rizzo has held firm to his position throughout the entirety of 2012, and with the pitching depth that the Nationals possess, he might be a hero in D.C. for years to come. 

Viable Replacements

The exclusion of Stephen Strasburg from the playoff roster would be devastating to the faithfuls in D.C. 

But the fact remains that, even without their ace, the Nationals have a team with World Series potential. 

It is important to remember that the No. 1 spot won't be filled by just anybody. With a bonafide Cy Young candidate to fill the vacancy from within, Washington has to feel confident about their chances in a postseason series. 

A three-man rotation is feasible, though unlikely. But even if the Nats decide to take the traditional track, they have plenty of options to fill the gaps. 

John Lannan and Tom Gorzelanny are both experienced big league starters who know what it takes to win at the highest level.

In his limited major league action this year, Lannan made a strong case for himself to fill the anticipated hole in the rotation. He picked up the win in both spot starts in 2012, surrendering just five runs in 13 total innings. 

Gorzelanny, meanwhile, has been a staple in the Nats bullpen for the past couple of months. He gave up just three earned runs in the entire month of July, and has carried the hot hand into August. 

It would be silly to contend that either is capable of replacing someone as valuable as Strasburg. But sometimes, I think people underestimate Washington's ability to adjust. 

A little more than a month remains until the playoff seedings will be determined. And the Nationals are far from clinching a spot in October. 

But if (and when) they do, I don't think teams in the National League will be lining up to play Washington in Round 1. 

Even without Stephen Strasburg.