On the Hill...

The NL East's 1st Place Florida Marlins are in the nation's capital, for the second time this season, having taken three straight from the Washington Nationals in Nationals Park during the second week of the '08 campaign. DC right-hander Tim Redding took the loss in the first of that three game series, and he takes the hill again in the first of three tonight. 

Back on April 7th, Redding took the loss, lasting just 4.0 innings, and giving up 7 hits, 1 ER, 1 HR, and 2 walks, while striking out 3 in a game that ended up a 10-7 Marlins win. Then, less than two weeks later, Redding faced Florida in Dolphin Stadium, earning a "W" in a 6-4 DC victory in which the righty lasted 6.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 ER, 1 HR and 1 walk, while striking out 10. In his career, Redding's faced Florida 7 times, going (4-1) with a 2.68 ERA in 37.0 innings, over which he's been hit 36 times, surrendered 11 ER's and 11 walks, and struck out 26.

Redding's opponent on the mound tonight for Florida, Ricky Nolasco, is a right-hander as well, with a (1-3) record and 6.10 ERA so far this season, as well as a (3-1) record in 4 starts and 6 appearances against Washington in his career. Nolasco's last start against the Nationals was on May 12, 2007, a game in which he lasted just 4.0 innings, giving up 4 hits, 3 ER's and 3 walks as the Marlins lost to DC 7-3, though Nolasco received no decision. 

Nationals' #'s Against Ricky Nolasco...

Nick Johnson - 2 for 9, .222 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Felipe Lopez - 1 for 8, .125 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI. 

Nationals' Starter Tim Redding Should Look Out For...

Wes Helms - 6 for 21, .286 AVG, 2 HR, 4 RBI's.

Hanley Ramirez - 2 for 5, .400 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI's.

Luis Gonzalez - 5 for 18, .278 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI's. 

Jeremy Hermida - 3 for 5, .600 AVG, 2 2B, 3 RBI's.

According to Washington Post Writer Barry Svrluga's... "Nationals Journal" post entitled, "More on the injuries, moves", 

"...Manny Acta confirmed that Jesus Flores will be the starting catcher and Wil Nieves the backup beginning tomorrow."

In 17 games at Triple-A Columbus, Flores was batting .153 (9 hits in 59 AB's) with 1 HR and 7 RBI's. Also called back up today, outfielder Elijah Dukes, was in Columbus with Flores, where Dukes hit .238 in 7 games with 1 double and 4 RBI's in 21 at bats. Dukes will now finally become, according to Mr. Svrluga:

"...the fourth outfielder...which is what he was scheduled to be before Wily Mo Pena went down with an injury in Spring Training."

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

Game Time 7:35 pm EST. The Nationals are (1-5) in 6 games against 1st-Place Florida this season. Redding vs Nolasco. What Will Jesus Do? When Will We See Dukes Get A Start? Lopez or Belliard? Can Kearns keep swinging a hot bat? FInd out tonight, and talk here if you're home on a Friday night like Federalbaseball.com...