On the Hill...

Milwaukee righty Ben Sheets is (5-1) with a 2.92 ERA in 9 starts and 61.2 innings in 2008, but against the Washington Nationals' franchise, the Brewers' 1st Round pick in 1999 is just (2-3) in 7 starts, with 22 ER, 5 HR's and 9 walks allowed in 45.1 innings pitched. After winning four of his first five starts, Sheets is just (1-1) in his last four outings, with 2 no-decisions in Brewers' losses which he's started. 

DC righty Jason Bergmann is (1-1) with a 5.47 ERA in 4 starts and 5 appearances, and he hasn't allowed a run in 14.0 innings since returning from a month in the Minors, though he's lost one of the two 7.0 inning outings, in spite of his own spotless performance. Bergmann's faced Milwaukee just once in his career on May 9, 2007, receiving no decision for 6.0 innings of 2-hit, 1 run work on the hill. Who was the 1 Brewers' hitter to homer off Bergmann? Anyone?...Sorry, time's up...the Answer is Geoff Jenkins. (ed. note - "Jenks?")  Sorry, he's with the Phillies now...

Nationals' #'s Against Ben Sheets...

Willie Harris - 2 for 4, .500 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI's. 

Rob Mackowiak - 10 for 35, .286 AVG, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI's. 

If Paul Lo Duca were playing - 7 for 24, .292 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI's. 

Zimmerman to Sit, Aaron Boone Moves One Step Closer To The Completion of His Devious Plot To Claim The Starting Job At Third...(Presuming He Starts There Tomorrow...)

According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article entitled, "Zimmerman will have off-day Monday", in which fans are assured it has nothing to do with the shoulder that had Zimmerman wincing all weeked, Mr. Ladson talks to Nationals' Manager Manny Acta who states concisely, "I don't think we'll put our franchise player out there if it were anything serious." Ryan Zimmerman is also quoted in Mr. Ladson's article, reassuring those concerned amongst us:

"'If I was bothered by it, I wouldn't play,' Zimmerman. 'It's sore, but [if it was worse], I wouldn't play.'"

Nationals' All-Star Rep?...Who Should It Be?

Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's article entitled, "Acta Believes Redding Could Be An All-Star", which details the Manager's having made the titular statement, had me thinking? Who should represent DC in the '08 All-Star Game in NY's Yankee Stadium? Redding as Acta suggests, Cristian Guzman? Pitching Coach Randy St. Claire? Does anyong one ever picks middle relievers, not really, so Ayala and Rivera, though deserving, probably aren't realistic choices...Sounds like a good topic for a Poll...

1:35 pm EST for the Memorial Day Monday fourth of four and last of seven at home in Nationals Park between the Brewers and Nationals. The Nationals can win the series with the win tomorrow, and finish one over .500 on the 7-game homestand that ends with the completion of tomorrow's midday finale. Then it's 10:05 pm Tuesday in sunny San Diego...

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