• Stephen Strasburg Game Thread.

0-6 in games that don't count, coming off the second-straight 100-loss season and heading into a twenty-ten campaign with what they believe is the best (bound-to-finish-fourth-or-fifth-place) roster they've assembled since the move to the nation's capital in 2005, the Washington Nationals today turn to '09 no. 1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg, who fairly or not, is being looked to as some sort of savior in the nation's capital, though the team will go to great lengths to stress that that's not the case. Within the last twelve months, Strasburg's completed his Junior year at San Diego State University (with a (13-1) record and a 1.32 ERA in 15 starts and 109.0 IP over which he K'd 195 (16.1 K/9) and walked 19 (1.5 BB/9)), made his first NCAA Tournament appearance, (giving up a HR and 2 ER on 8 hits in a 5-1 loss to UVA in which he struck out 15), then headed out to Arizona where the 21-year-old, 6'4'', 220lb right-hander was (4-1) in 5 starts and 19.0 IP for the Phoenix Desert Dogs with 7 walks, 23 K's and 3 HR's allowed. Now this afternoon, Strasburg takes the mound for about two innings of work against the Detroit Tigers and their own 21-year-old right-hander Rick Porcello. Live from Viera, Florida's Space Coast Stadium at 1:05 pm EST this afternoon live on MASN, the MLB Network, and MLB.tv. 

• Game Time: 1:05 pm EST. Detroit Tigers at Washington Nationals. Strasburg vs Porcello. Stephen Strasburg's Spring Debut...

• DC Starting Lineup: After The JUMP.

• DC Starting Lineup For Strasburg Day. (acc. to MLB.com's Bill Ladson via Twitter)

1. Nyjer Morgan - CF
2. Crisitan Guzman - SS
3. Ryan Zimmerman - 3B
4. Josh Willingham - LF
5. Adam Kennedy - 2B
6. Ian Desmond - RF** 
7. Chris Duncan - 1B
8. Josh Whitesell - DH
9. Wil "Blocker" Nieves - C

• Don't Forget Drew Storen.

The Nationals' 2nd '09 1st Round pick will reportedly make his third appearance of the Spring at some point this afternoon, and he'll be looking for his third scoreless frame. Six up and six down for Storen so far as the former Stanford Cardinal closer looks to pitch his way onto the Opening Day roster. Storen signed almost immediately after being drafted nine picks behind Strasburg, and was able to get started pitching in the Nationals' system last season, posting a (2-1) record with a 1.95 ERA and 11 saves in 28 games and 37.0 IP over which the 6'2'', 180lb Brownsburg, Indiana native recorded 49 K's (11.9 K/9), surrendered 8 BB, (1.9 BB/9) and gave up 2 HR's while holding opponents to a .162 BAA...

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