The Sox are going to face some heat in the nation's capital this weekend.
Washington Nationals pitching phenom, Stephen Strasburg, will make his third start Friday against the South Siders. Strasburg's record stands at 2-0. His June 8 debut against the Pirates impressed the Sox.
"He's a good pitcher," outfielder Juan Pierre told the Northwest Indiana Times. "He has a live arm. I usually work about the pitcher the day of. We'll have our work cut out for us for someone we've never seen before."
Sox ace and former Padres pitcher Jake Peavy is familiar with the kid's stuff.
"I'm a Stephen Strasburg fan because I know him from San Diego and admire the kid for being as humble as he is," Peavy told the Sun-Times. "Last time I talked to the kid, he was getting ready to be the No.1 pick."
Current Washington Nationals manager and ex-Cubs manager, Jim Riggleman, believes this Wunderkid is a better rookie than Kerry Wood, who famously struck out 20 Astros in his rookie season.
Riggleman said Strasburg's may have more pitches he can throw out to confuse batters than Wood does, according to the Northwest Indiana Times.
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Strasburg is becoming a media darling appearing on this week's cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline "National Treasure." The 21-year-old's attitude is also impressing fans.
"Obviously, this kid done a nice job of keeping things under control with all the hype around him, and rightfully so," Peavy said. "This guy's special."
The Sox will know how special after the final pitch is thrown.
