Strasburg more than halfway to innings cap, looking for bounceback

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg faces off against the Colorado Rockies Friday, looking to rebound from just three innings in the sweltering heat in Atlanta last week. His next start will likely be scheduled for Sunday, July 15 in Miami, following the All-Star game in Kansas City. If Strasburg averages six innings per outing, he will be at 99 innings after tonight and 105 frames following July 15. That would mathematically put him in for nine or 10 more starts the rest of the way, with an expected maximium of 160-170 innings pitched. If the Nationals bring up a spot starter for July 21 doubleheader versus Atlanta, Strasburg would have starts July 20 (111), July 25 (117) and July 31 (123) to round out the month. Into August, Strasburg could to go Aug. 5 (129), Aug. 10 (135), Aug. 15 (141), Aug. 21 (147) and Aug. 28 (153). Then in September, Strasburg might pitch Sept. 2 (159) and Sept. 7 (165). Could that be where general manager Mike Rizzo shuts down Strasburg and brings in a starter via trade, or will the Nationals use Chien-Ming Wang or John Lannan? It is huge question to what could be the most spectacular season since the Nationals' infancy in D.C. in 2005. By that schedule, there would be 24 regular season games remaining. Is that enough time for the Nationals to hold on? It will be fun to watch.