Revenues continue to grow. The luxury tax is hampering spending significantly.  Extremely profitable teams crying poor should be embarrassed.  Salaries should rise with profits.

It's hard to knock bad deals when they're rewarding a guy for what he's done for the franchise.  Good for Strasburg, and the Nats.

And this doesn't count another Boras client, the Nats' third baseman.

BP's Ginny Searle, predicting which options are picked up by clubs and which are declined, as well as who opts out and doesn't opt out of a contract extension:

Washington Nationals

Stephen Strasburg, 4 years, $100 million player option: Opts Out

Even without the deferred money dragging down the actual value of the money he is owed, Strasburg’s incredible postseason ensured the Boras client will enter next year on a new contract. It seems highly possible Strasburg ultimately renegotiates with Washington, but in any case he will have more guaranteed money by the start of next season.

Ryan Zimmerman, 2020 club option for $18 million ($1 million buyout): Decline

It seems impossible that Zimmerman will play anywhere else, but there’s no way the Nationals spend this much on a part-time player—the 35-year-old batted just 513 times across the last two years. Look for him to come back to Washington, just for less.

Adam Eaton, 2020 club option for $9.5 million ($1.5 million buyout): Accept

After appearing in 151 games, mostly out of the two hole, for the eventual World Champions, this should be an easy decision.

Yan Gomes, 2020 club option for $9 million ($1 million buyout): Decline

Gomes lost quite a bit of power between Cleveland and Washington, shedding sixty points of slugging between 2018 and 2019. After roughly splitting time with Kurt Suzuki, it would be unsurprising to see Washington go in a less expensive direction and elevate Suzuki to starter.

Sean Doolittle, 2020 club option for $6.5 million ($500,000 buyout): Accept

Had Doolittle not been such a dependable bullpen arm on Washington’s road to the championship, there might be reason to wonder if his worst season in half a decade would make Washington wary. Now, there’s no question that Doolittle will return.

Matt Adams, 2020 mutual option for $4 million ($1 million buyout): Decline

Adams received five plate appearances in the postseason, roughly showcasing the level of trust Washington’s decision makers had in him after a rough season at the plate—his .276 OBP was the worst of his career.

Hope I'm wrong about the second part.

I've done very well betting on the Rockies as a home dog. 

Go $10 against $17.60?

I only bet underdogs (or close to even) in baseball, so with the Astros -176, I actually think it's easy to bet against them.  The teams are not that disparate and Strasburg is an excellent pitcher. 

I hope you're right, if only to give us a game seven, but it's hard to bet against the Astros in game six.

For some reason I think Strasburg will win yet again and Verlander lose let again, and the visiting team will win yet again, and so on and so forth.

But if I'm right, I wouldn't bet against the Astros in Game 7. 

The happier end of the list Peter mentions under Don Newcombe.

Play Index Spotlight: Stephen Strasburg

Best Postseason Starters ERA, min. 5 starts

See the full list at Baseball-Reference.com's Pitching Game Finder