1:35 pm EST Atlanta vs Washington

On The Hill -

Tom Glavine on the mound for the visiting team against Tim Redding, who has arguably been the Nationals' most effective starter thus far this season, but is without doubt, MASN Nationals' Announcer Don Sutton's Favorite Pitcher. Tom Glavine's (33-23) in 67 starts against the Nationals/Expos in his 22 seasons in Atlanta and New York, with 280 K's and a 3.37 ERA in 449.0 IP against the franchise. Redding...has faced the Braves 3 times in his 7 seasons in the Majors, twice as a starter, and he's (1-1) with a 4.91 ERA in 11.2 IP against "America's Favorite Team", (according to TBS).

The Nationals gave up 7 runs in Tim Redding's last outing, but only 1 of them was earned, so he's got an 0.82 ERA in 11.0 innings this season, with his first start a 7.0 inning, one-hit gem against the Phillies back on April 2nd...(ed. note - "As in the last win, 10 days ago...")...

Tom Glavine has a 0.79 ERA in 11.1 innings over 2 starts this season, in which he's allowed just 1 ER, and 5 walks, while striking out 6, though he's earned no decisions in either of his two starts. 

Nationals #'s Against Tom Glavine:

Paul Lo Duca - 13 for 28, .464 AVG, 2 2B, 5 RBI's. 

Cristian Guzman - 5 for 15, .333 AVG, 2 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Ryan Zimmerman - 8 for 21, .381 AVG, 4 2B, 4 RBI's. 

Wily Mo Pena? - 3 for 10, .300 AVG, 1 RBI...

WILY MO PENA You Ask?

That's right. Wily Mo Pena's back! Washington Post Sports writer Barry Svrluga says it all in the title of his most recent post at the "Nationals Journal" blog entitled, "Cordero reinstated, Bergmann sent down, WMP back tomorrow", and not just back on the roster, Mr. Svrluga writes: 

"...Wily Mo Pena's rehab assignment with Columbis will be short. He'll get a couple of at-bats tonight, then get on a plane and be in the District by 9:30 p.m. 'He'll be in the lineup tomorrow," GM Jim Bowden said."

Pena's yet to play this season, a season in which, it was repeated ad naseum, everyone would finally get to see what Pena could do with 500 AB's. Wily Mo Pena strained his left oblique in Spring Training, and was initially expected to miss more time, but a surprisingly fast recovery, (and a desperate need for offense) have apparently combined to hasten his return. 

Oh! And That's Right, Mr. Svrluga's Title Said, "Cordero Reinstated..."

The Flat-Brimmed Closer is back on the roster, never having experienced a recurrence of what was described as a "sharp pain" in his right shoulder during batting practice on the day of Opening Night, which caused Cordero to miss the first game in Nationals Park, and the first 12 games of '08. 

Cordero's (0-3), with 14 saves in 34 games against Atlanta, posting a 4.00 ERA in 36.0 innings, over which he's allowed 34 hits, 16 ER, 7 HR's and 17 walks, with 42 K's against the Braves. (ed. note - "But there's no more Andruw Jones to torment Cordero.")

Giving Zimmerman His Due...

After an 0-16 stint, Ryan Zimmerman's bat woke up Saturday against the Braves, as Zimmerman went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI, and he hit his 3rd double of the season of John Smoltz, while collecting his 4th RBI of '08. The .220 AVG, well I'm sure Zimmerman doesn't have to be reminded about that. 

Cristian Guzman Watch - 

Guzman went 3 for 5...now batting .321 in '08.

Check the NatCast if you're heading to Nationals Park. (They were right on Saturday.)

Game time 1:35 PM...