Washington Nationals

So much for first game jitters.

In the much-anticipated arrival of pitcher Stephen Strasburg to the majors, the flame throwing right-hander gave fans a glimmer of hope in a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

From the moment Strasburg took the rubber Tuesday evening, he was in control despite the home run given up to Delwyn Young.

In seven innings of work, Strasburg gave up four hits, struck out 14 (yikes!), and walked none. Not bad if you started him in a league that uses K/BB ratio as a category.

Tonight, Stephen Strasburg took the mound for the first time against the Pittsburgh Pirates in front of a sold-out crowd at Nationals Stadium.

He pitched a great game, but was it one of the all-time best debuts?

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"Remember where you are so you remember where you were."–Nationals radio announcer Charlie Slowes after Tuesday night's game

Wow. Just wow.

What more is there to say about Stephen Strasburg's debut?

The buzz surrounding the right-handed fireballer reached historic levels before he even signed a professional contract. He was the unquestioned No. 1 pick in the draft last year, jumping to the top of a prospect class that was far more talented than this year's.

If you are reading this article, you most likely have been looking forward to Stephen Strasburg's debut. Well, if you can't get to a television, you are in luck as I will provide in-depth analysis on Strasburg every time he takes the mound. Check back between innings for the latest updates.

Here goes.

1st inning

Ever since the Washington Nationals signed number one overall pick Stephen Strasburg in August 2009 with a record $15.1 million rookie contract, the hype machine has been on full power. 

Strasburg has been compared to everyone from Randy Johnson to Nolan Ryan, thanks to his blazing 102 MPH fastball and a 7-2 record in the minors with a 1.30 ERA. He has been praised as being the savior of Washington and every MLB fan (including myself) has been anxiously awaiting his debut.

Stephen Strasburg will make his MLB debut at 7:05 ET Tuesday in perhaps the most exciting Washington, D.C. event to take place since the Obama inauguration. 

Although it will not break any glass ceilings, Strasburg's debut will mark the beginning of a potentially groundbreaking movement for the D.C. sports scene. 

Acknowledging the inflow of young talent into D.C. in Strasburg, Bryce Harper, and John Wall, one might suggest D.C., like New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles, could become one of the top U.S. sports cities in the not-too-terribly-distant future.

Tonight, the king will finally pitch from his throne.

Stephen Strasburg, the number one overall pick from a year ago, makes his anticipated debut tonight, in the nation's capital of Washington, DC.

If you were under a rock for the past two months, it might not have been a bad thing.

The most hyped prospect in the history of baseball was showcased on every MLB outlet possible.

All of his starts in Triple-A were shown on television around the country, and no one came away not impressed.

Congratulations and welcome to the 3,287th column, article, blog post, essay, profile, feature, kindergarten-free write, and poem you’ll read about Stephen Strasburg this week.

Tonight, one of the most hyped rookies in major league history launches his career. Stephen Strasburg makes his big league debut for the Washington Nationals when he takes the ball to pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The attention and interest focused on him is unprecedented. Besides playing in front of a capacity crowd in the nation's capital, the MLB Network will broadcast the game nationally with their "A" team of Bob Costas, Jim Kaat, and John Smoltz calling the action.