On the Hill...

Mississauga, Ontario born right-hander Shawn Hill is on the mound this afternoon as the Washington Nationals look to avoid being swept in three straight at home by the NL East's 1st Place Florida Marlins. After Andrew Miller dominated DC last night, the Fish counter with yet another six and a half foot lefty in Kalamazoo, Michigan's own Scott Olsen.

The Nationals were 4-1 last season against Florida when Shawn Hill was on the mound, and Hill himself went (2-1) in 5 starts with a 2.54 ERA and 25 K's in 28.1 innings over which the now 27-year old sinking fastballer allowed 26 hits, 8 ER's and 2 HR's to the Marlins. Hill's faced the Fish once already this season, back on April 19th in Florida, and he surrendered 6 hits and 4 runs with 6 K's in 5.0 innings in Hill's first of four starts this season. Hill's still looking for his first decision this season, for or against, as his '08 record stands at (0-0), with a 3.86 ERA.

Scott Olsen's already beaten the Nationals twice this season, at home and at Nationals Park. The first start against Washington in DC on April 9th saw Olsen throw 7.2 innings on the mound, allowing 4 hits, 3 ER's, and 1 HR, with 4 walks and 2 K's in a 10-4 Marlins win. The second, at home in Florida, was even better for Olsen, who gave up just 1 run over 7.0 innings on a solo HR by Austin Kearns in the fifth inning of a 6-1 Marlins' win. In his career, Olsen's 5-3 in 10 starts against DC with a 3.88 ERA in 58.0 innings. (ed. note - "...and Olsen's coming off 8.2 shutout innings against Milwaukee.")

Nationals' #'s Against Scott Olsen...

Ronnie Belliard - 7 for 19, .368 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI's.

Cristian Guzman - 4 for 7, .571 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Felipe Lopez - 5 for 18, .278 AVG, 1 RBI, 7 BB.

Ryan Zimmerman - 3 for 23, .130 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI

Austin Kearns - 4 for 19, .211 AVG, 1 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI's.

Lastings Milledge - 6 for 18, .333 AVG, 3 BB.

Wily Mo Pena - 3 for 6, .500 AVG, 2 HR, 3 RBI's...(ed. note - "I predict Wily Mo Pena's first HR of the year tomorrow." -noted 1:04 am EST)

Shawn Hill Should Watch Out For...

Wes Helms - 2 for 3, .667 AVG.

Jorge Cantu - 2 for 3, .667 AVG, 1 2B.

Mike Jacobs - 5 for 14, .357 AVG, 2 2B, 3 RBI's. 

Hanley Ramirez - He's only hitting .267 in 15 at bats against Hill, but Ramirez is hitting .338 after going 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 RBI's last night.

DY UPDATE...

Washington Times writer Ben Goessling writes, in his article entitled, "Young heading to rehab stint for hurt back", that Dmitri Young will begin a rehab stint in Double-A Harrisburg this week as he works his way back to the DC roster. How long until we see DY in DC? DC GM Jim Bowden tells Mr. Goessling:

"'His performance will dictate how quickly he gets back up here,' Bowden said. 'He's doing extremely well."

On the Farm... 

Washington Post writer Barry Svrluga wrote an article last week entitled, "Strong Arm Tactics: Nats Farmhands Flush With Talent", that takes a look at the long list of pitching prospects currently working their way through all levels of the Nationals' system. Makes for some good Sunday morning reading if you missed it...

Check the NatCast if you're heading to Nationals Park...

Game Time 1:35 pm EST. The Nationals have dropped 2 straight and are (1-7) against the NL East's 1st Place Florida Marlins so far in '08. Shawn Hill needs a decision! The Nationals need a win! Randy St. Claire needs a rest, (from too many mound visits), and Wily Mo Pena needs to prove me right...C'mon Wily Mo, take one for a ride today...

The folks over at PRESIDENTS RACE: LET TEDDY WIN! now have Big Head Teddy Roosevelt player name and # T's for sale. Join the cause...