National Attention

Strasburg Making Highly Anticipated Debut Tonight

Washington, DC, is the “epicenter of the baseball universe” today as the two players who could finally change the Nationals’ prospects are dominating the headlines. Nationals P Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to make his MLB debut tonight against the Pirates in a game that is being described as a “landmark event.” The occasion is generating buzz around the District that has not been seen in years -- ad rates for MASN’s coverage of the game are double the normal cost and standing room only tickets at Nationals Park are being sold to meet the consumer demand. Meanwhile, the Nationals Monday take 17-year-old Bryce Harper with the first overall selection in this year’s Draft. It is expected Harper and adviser Scott Boras could seek more than the $15.1M Strasburg signed for last year, though Nats GM Mike Rizzo sounds optimistic a deal will be reached.