On The Hill...

DC lefty John "Cool Hand" Lannan beat Baltimore in Camden Yards earlier this season, back on May 18th, throwing 7.0 innings of 4-hit, 1-run baseball against the Orioles. Unfortunately, that was Lannan's last win, as the (4-8) second-year starter has lost four of his last six outings with two no-decisions, even though he's given up just 13 runs in 36.0 innings pitched, he's received just 10 runs of support from the Nationals' batters in his last six trips to the hill. 

Lannan's opponent on the mound in Nationals Park tonight, lefty Garrett Olson, was picked in the Supplemental Round, between the 1st and 2nd Rounds, but techically the 1st Round, 48th overall in the '05 Draft, and two years later, he made his debut on July 4th 2007 in Chicago, pitching 4.1 innings against the White Sox, but receiving no decision in the eventual Orioles' win. Olson beat the Nationals in mid-May, throwing 5.0 innings and allowing 9 hits and 3 runs with 3 K's in a 5-3 Orioles' victory. 

Since last seeing DC, Olson's (2-3) in 7 starts, and he's lost two of his last three outings. On the road this season, Olson's (2-3) in 6 starts, with a 6.39 ERA in 31.0 innings, as opposed to his (3-0) record and 3.49 ERA at home in Camden Yards. While Lannan's lost two of his last three home starts, with the Nationals dropping all three, leaving Lannan (1-4) with a 5.23 ERA in 31.0 innings over 6 starts at Nationals Park, as opposed to his (3-4) road record and 2.33 ERA in 58.0 innings away from DC. Looks like they're both in the wrong place tonight...

Nationals' #'s Against Garrett Olson...

Jesus Flores - 2 for 2, 1.000 AVG.

Aaron Boone - 1 for 2, .500 AVG.

Cristian Guzman - 1 for 3, .333 AVG. 1 2B.

Felipe "Future-O" Lopez - 1 for 3, .333 AVG.

Elijah Dukes - 0 for 1, .000 AVG, 1 RBI.

Lastings Milledge - 1 for 3, .333 AVG.

The "If They Were Playing" List...

Ryan Zimmerman - 3 for 3, 1.000 AVG, 2 RBI's.

Hey, "Cool Hand" Lannan! Watch Out For...

Melvin Mora - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 1 2B.

Adam Jones - 1 for 3, .333 AVG.

Orioles' Interest In Lopez? Felipe Lopez Continues To Talk Way Out Of Town...

As recounted by Washington Post writer Steve Yanda, in his article entitled, "Lopez Puzzled Over Benching, Trade Rumors", Nationals' shortstop Felipe Lopez told reporters that he has no idea why he hasn't started in the last three games:

"'Nobody communicates around here; everything's a mystery, 'López said. 'Nothing's wrong with me. I'm fine. . . . I just came off an 11-game hitting streak while I was on the road, and now I'm on the bench. Take a guess, I don't know what happened. Because I made an error? I really don't understand it.'"

As for the trade rumors swirling around the Orioles and Lopez, the 28-year old infielder's quoted by Mr. Yanda stating:

"I don't know; I don't know what's going on...I haven't even heard that since spring training. I heard the same thing there."

But Mr. Yanda and the Washington Post aren't the only ones reporting the rumors. MLB.com's Bill Ladson checks in with his article entitled, "Orioles show interest in Nats' Lopez", where Mr. Ladson writes:

"The Orioles have declared their interest in Nationals infielder Felipe Lopez, a baseball source confirmed on Friday afternoon...Washington is believed looking for the best possible deal for Lopez, who is having another disappointing season."

What can the Nationals expect to get in return for a .247 hitter with 15 doubles, 2 HR's and 20 RBI's in 73 games over which he's committed 9 errors (the most on the Nationals)? 2nd or 3rd Round Pick? A legit prospect? Brandon Fahey? 

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

7:10 pm EST. Orioles vs Nationals. Lannan vs Olson. Lefty vs Lefty. Big Head Teddy vs the Oriole. Will Felipe Lopez get a showcase start, or will he be held out so a deal can be done when the series is over? Was Kory Casto last night's hero? Who's more clutch than Flores? Can the Orioles' fans please not scream, "O" during the National(s') anthem? I like Cal Ripken?...