Diamond Cuts.

As fantasy baseball players around the world rush to find Edwin Jackson on waivers, I think it's time for a Stephen Strasburg Update.

I can't bring myself to say I told you so, but I certainly wasn't wrong. Strasburg was finally let down by the Nationals' offense as the Royals handed him his first major league loss a little earlier than I had expected. In his fourth major league start, Strasburg lasted six innings and struck out nine batters, but allowed all of the Royals nine hits. He allowed one too many men to reach base in the fifth inning, when Jose Guillen singled in the winning run with two outs.

It's a tragic loss. With nine hits, the Royals could have done a decent amount of scoring, but Strasburg held them to only one run and again gave the Nationals a good chance to win the game. I can see this kid winning every game he starts with a potent offense behind him. Send him to the Yankees (they like to spend money). Send him to the Red Sox (they'll take what the Yankees don't). Heck, send him to Texas (they like to score runs, they've won their last 11 games!).

Strasburg shouldn't really be on the move, there is no way the Nationals can give up an arm like that - if he throws it, they will come. Plus, it's great for the 17 real Nationals fans out there, they need something to cheer for, it's only fair.

Diamond Cuts.

Stephen Strasburg Update

Strasburg looks to continue his domination of under .500 teams today as the Washington Nationals attempt to finish off the Kansas City Royals in sweeping fashion.

His last start on June 18th against the White Sox resulted in a no decision as he pitched seven innings of one-run ball and struck out 10 men. Strasburg got into first inning trouble when the speedy Juan Pierre reached on an infield single and the crafty veteran Omar Vizquel looped a double down the right field line. With men at second and third and nobody out, Alex Rios drove in a run while grounding out to first and Strasburg went on to strike out the next two batters.

A couple of deep fly ball outs riddled between eight more strike outs and Strasburg would leave the game with the record for the most strike outs in his first three major league starts. Previously held by J.R. Richard, the record for most strike outs in a pitchers first three major league starts was 29. Strasburg has 32.

Strasburg has given the Nationals a chance to win every time out, but their offense couldn't rally against starter Gavin Floyd. I have a feeling Strasburg will be let down by the offense on numerous occasions throughout the year. Adam Dunn saved his winning record for the time being, but the Braves, the Mets and the Padres are up next.

What I'm watching.

Honestly, I'm watching everything, but one show has stuck out lately. America's Got Talent. The "celebrity" judges have shifted slightly in that David Hasselhoff has been replaced by Howie Mandel. How Michael Knight can be one-upped by the Deal or no Deal guy I'll never know, but to that I say, "No deal!"

Hasselhoff is an x-factor. He is the guy that brings the crazy to the table. What is he going to do today? I don't know, maybe he will juggle some flaming marsupials while riding a dolphin during a special appearance at SeaWorld. Maybe he and Garey Busey will get together and skip down the Sunset Strip screaming obscenities; one of them noticeably drunk and the other off his medication, you pick, they're interchangeable. The point is, the Hoff is crazy and a spectacle. Does anyone really want to see Howie "No Deal" Mandel? I know I don't. I also know I hope that nickname sticks.

Mandel bashing aside, this show should in no way be called America's Got Talent. I think the creators forgot to pitch the title America's Got Nothing Better to Do Than Showcase Their Uselessness on National Television. Yeah, yeah. They have to weed out the useless "talents," I get that. But they don't! Puppies jumping through hoops is certainly not my idea of the most talented group in America. Now, if the puppies were to soar through hoops with the help of a jet pack at a height of 10,000 feet, I might applaud, not for the puppies, but for the success of the jet pack. Do you know how awesome that would be?

Someone with some talent will surely win the competition, but they should weed out the nut jobs before they get a chance on television. The creators of the show may argue against this since they will lose viewers. What will they have to make fun of? What will clip shows run all week? What will the William Hungs of the world do? To this I say, "where's David Hasselhoff? If you wanted nut jobs, you got rid of one of the best. "

Diamond Cuts.

Stephen Strasburg Update

Lasting 5.1 innings, striking out 8, walking 5 and allowing a solo home run, Strasburg picks up his second win in as many starts.

Is something wrong? Is Strasburg really cut out for the majors? No! And of course he is! What silly questions. His numbers dipped a little compared to his first start but he is still out there confusing hitters. Strasburg had more trouble with loose dirt on the Cleveland mound than with the batters he faced.

Looks like he will be facing another sub-.500 team in the Chicago White Sox on Friday. At least Paul Konerko and Alex Rios will provide some sort of challenge.

Diamond Cuts.

Ah yes, it's time for yet another edition of diamond cuts. As most baseball fans will know, last night, Stephen Strasburg finally made his major league debut and boy was it a start to remember.

Striking out 14 batters (12 swinging and 2 looking), allowing only four base runners (3 singles and 1 home run) and pitching the Nationals to a win, Strasburg had one of the best pitching debuts that I can remember.

Strasburg appeared to begin the game with a few butterflies in his stomach. He pitched behind in the count to Andrew McCutchen and Niel Walker, but retired them on sharp hit balls on the infield. After the first two batters it's hard to remember a time when he wasn't throwing strikes. One of those pitches ended up in the stands, but it was still a strike. His only mistake, a 1-0 change-up over the heart of the plate to Delwyn Young, resulted in the Pirates taking a 2-1 lead.

At this point, I have to be honest, I was worried that Strasburg wasn't going to get the win. Even if he pitched shutout ball, I didn't expect the Nationals to score too many runs. (Not that opposing pitcher Jeff Karstens was lights-out, but it's the Nationals offense. Need I say more?)

Anyway, after the home run Strasburg certainly settled back in. He struck out 8 of the next 10 batters including the final 7 batters he faced. Simply astounding! I'm counting on an encore against the Indians over the weekend.

The kid looked great out there and I have certainly bought in to Strasburgmania, but his first start was against the Pirates. I would almost expect the kind of numbers Strasburg exhibited against the Pirates from Jamie Moyer. They have scored the least number of runs in the league and have allowed the third most runs to score. It's not a pretty thing, losing to the Pirates.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not saying Strasburg won because he faced the Pirates, I just can't wait to see him pitch against the AL East powerhouse...or Albert Pujols.