The Washington Nationals are (1-4) in five games against the New York Mets this season, having dropped three in Shea Stadium April 15-17, and split the two game series April 23rd-24th when the Mets first visited new Nationals Park. The four game series in old Shea Stadium, tonight through Thursday, finds the Nationals trying to recover after losing five of their last six, including three straight at home to Florida, and the Mets looking catch those same Marlins atop the standings in the NL East. 

On the Hill...

The Nationals throw "Opening Night" Odalis Perez against the Mets' reclamation project Nelson Figueroa, who pitched in a New York win over Washington back on April 17th, but before that hadn't faced the franchise as a starter since April 24, 2002, when Figueroa was with the Milwaukee Brewers and the Nationals were les Expos. In his career Figueroa's (1-1) in 5 starts and 32.2 IP against the Washington/Montreal franchise, with 29 hits, 10 ER, and 5 HR's surrendered. DC lefty Odalis Perez has 10 career starts and 17 appearances against New York, with a (4-6) record and 3.93 ERA in 68.2 IP. 

So far in '08, Figueroa's (2-2) with a 4.81 ERA in 5 starts and 8 appearances. Odalis Perez is (0-3) in 8 starts, posting a 3.43 ERA in 44.2 innings pitched, 6.0 of which came on April 15th in New York, as Perez gave up 6 hits, 2 ER, 1 HR and 3 walks in a 6-0 DC loss. The Nationals are 2-2 in Perez's last four starts, though the lefty hasn't recorded a decision since that 4/15 loss in New York. Figueroa's won one of his last four starts with losses in two and one no decision. In Figueroa's last start, on the road in LA, the right-hander allowed 8 hits, 5 runs, 1 HR and 4 walks in 5.0 innings. 

Nationals' #'s Against Nelson Figueroa...

Ronnie Belliard - 1 for 6, .167 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Aaron Boone - 3 for 7, .429 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI.

Nick Johnson - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI's.

The BIG ? in DC These Days...

...Surrounds the identity of Thursday night's starter, as Washington Times baseball writer Ben Goessling reports in his article entitled, "Replacement for O'Connor not yet known", that after his last disastrous start, lefty Mike O'Connor had been sent back to Columbus, leaving a spot in the rotation for the last of this four game series in New York empty, to be filled according to Nationals' Manager Manny Acta from a wide range of options:

"'Everyone one from [Class AA prospect] Jordan Zimmerman to Chico' is in the running,  Acta said."

THE SYSTEM...

With all the interest in the prospects under consideration, (ed. note -"Though I bet it's Chico on Thursday.") columbusOHcubs fan chose a good time to check in with two posts...

Columbus Clippers AAA Report - May 10th

Columbus Clippers AAA Report - May 11th

...which take a quick look at the highest level prospects in the Nationals' system. 

The game is scheduled for 7:10 pm EST in Shea Stadium. For a good idea of the Mets' fans' perspective these days, check out the SB Nation's Mets' blog, "Amazin' Avenue." The Nationals need to turn things around after having dropped 6 of 10 games in May after winning 6 of 10 to end April. Milledge vs Church? Who's winning on this one so far? Is Church really hitting .326? C'mon Lasto, make the Mediocre-Mets pay...