Game two of three in RFK Stadium, Washington, DC features:
Dontrelle Willis (8-14, 5.12) vs Shawn Hill (3-3, 2.87)
The Washington Nationals look to take the second straight from the Florida Marlins and fourth in a row on the homestand which has seen the Nationals take two of three from San Francisco before yesterday afternoon's win against the Fish.
The Marlins left-handed ace Dontrelle Willis' numbers say it all for Florida this season. After an unexpectedly successful 2006 campaign, the now 60-78 Marlins have got to be considered a disappointment, and the fact that staff ace Dontrelle Willis has a (8-14) record, with a 5.12 ERA would seem to be a clear sign of a struggling franchise.
...And a struggling pitcher. Last time out against Washington, Dontrelle Willis lasted just 3.2 innings, and gave up 8 hits, 8 runs (3 earned), and 3 walks in a game that ended a 14-10 DC win in Florida.
Willis is actually better on the road this season, where he's (5-5) with a 4.56 ERA in 79.0 innings, but he's given up nearly as many home runs and walks on the road as at home, and allowed 5 runs in each of his last two road starts in Philly and Cincy's silly stadiums. (10-5) career against the Nationals franchise, it'll be interesting to see what Willis shows up...
Shawn Hill, we know, will be throwing hard sinking fastballs. Hill's (1-0) against the Marlins this season, (1-1) lifetime in three starts against. Last time out against Florida, Hill threw five no-hit innings before leaving with an injury that had him on the shelf for a month...I'm late, Hill just threw the first pitch...
Anyone watching...