Karstens Looks Forward to Spoiler Role

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PITTSBURGH -- Jeff Karstens can't wait to get a piece of Washington Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg on Tuesday night, but it's not what you think probably.

"I'm excited to bat against him," said the Pirates pitcher, a .222 hitter this season.

The game will mark the major league debut for Strasburg, 21, the first pick in the 2009 draft.

"I know from experience that, any time you face a team for the first time, the hitters don't know you," Karstens said. "It will be really big for our hitters to make adjustments as the game progresses. As long as we battle and keep it close, we can put up a good fight. If we take a lead into the sixth or seventh inning, I like our chances."

The event has become a hot ticket in recent days, but for Karstens, 27, it won't be much different than any of the previous 35 starts in his career.

"Of course, I want to spoil it for him," he said. "But any time I go out there, that's what I want to do. Every day is different, but I'll approach this one like any of the others before. My attitude is, whether we're up 10 runs or down 10 runs, my demeanor is the same."

As far as manager John Russell was concerned, the unflappable nature made him a prime candidate for the assignment.

Russell cited the game that Karstens pitched against the Brewers in late April, when the Pirates snapped a streak of 22 consecutive losses in Milwaukee.

"Jeff seems to be OK in big games," Russell said. "He pitched in Milwaukee, where he won. There will be a big crowd (at Nationals Park), and he'll be able to put that aside and pitch a good game."

Said Karstens, "I mean, if I can deal with (Philadelphia) Phillies fans, then I can deal with anyone."

From a distance, Strasburg made a favorable impression on Karstens as a pitcher and a person.

"He has good stuff," Karstens said. "It seems like he has a good head on his shoulders. There's no doubt that he will be good eventually."

As for the $15.1-million contract that Strasburg signed last year, he said, "Everybody has his own thing. That really doesn't matter to me. My stuff doesn't compare to his, but I've been able to survive."

Besides, Karstens faced greater challenges in his career, Randy Johnson and Johan Santana among them.

"I mean, I've faced some really good pitchers before," he said. "They're future Hall of Famers. And they're rich, too."