The MLB betting rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg can now add another accomplishment to his opening week repertoire: National League Player of the Week honors. The 21-year old right-hander was named the NL Player of the Week on Monday after opening his career with consecutive wins over the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians, in which he struck out 22 while allowing just three earned runs combined. Rarely in the online sports betting world does a rookie live up to such high expectations as were placed on Strasburg, especially in baseball, but the San Diego State product has exceeded all expectations, and looked absolutely dominant in his first two appearances.

Strasburg's 22 strikeouts for the Washington Nationals were the most for any pitcher in the majors last week, becoming the first rookie to accomplish that feat since Karl Spooner did it in 1954 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Not only has he boosted the outlook of his own team, but as any major sports star, Strasburg's name has made its way throughout the league, and after his initial start, ticket sales in Cleveland went up by nearly 3000 in anticipation of the young pitcher starting against the Indians. That kind of star power is something the Nationals have lacked since the team arrived in Washington from Montreal. Strasburg is expected to make his third start this Friday against the Chicago White Sox.