GameThread: Pittsburgh Pirates At Washington Nationals- Game 39 or 40 of 162.

Federal Baseball.com's Pirates/Nationals GameJinxThread...(ed. note - "Federal Baseball.com Tries To Help Break The Nationals' Losing Streak.")

There's No Way Nick Johnson Gets Traded...

MLB.com's Bill Ladson had an article yesterday afternoon entitled, "Rumors swirl about Nats' Johnson", which acknowledged that both the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets have expressed some unquantifiable measure of interest in the Nationals' sure-handed, selective, single-smacking, left-handed, first baseman, Nick Johnson. The Sox need some production at first since Big Papi's gone beyond slump to some newfound territory and the Mets need someone who's actually played first base in the majors, since Carlos Delgado's hip surgery is going to put him out 10 weeks. Should the Nationals Trade Nick Johnson? We've been asking here for weeks...Let's Make it Official...NEW POLL.

Max Is Back

In a post by Washington Times' writer Mark Zuckerman at the Times' Chatter blog entitled, "Dukes to DL, plus more moves", Mr. Zuckerman reports that Elijah Dukes, who injured his left hamstring last week, "...struggled through a workout session this afternoon in front of Manny Acta and Mike Rizzo", after which he was placed on the 15-day DL. Alex Cintron was designated for assigment as well, and the Nationals have Jason Bergmann and Justin Maxwell speeding toward the nation's capital as we speak. Mr. Zuckerman writes the Maxwell will "take over" in center, and in Mr. Zuckerman's opinion:

"...you've got to think the Nats want to get a good look at him in center field and see if he's ready to assume the job permanently."

Dunn, Maxwell and Kearns? Willingham, Maxwell and Dukes? Dunn, Maxwell and Kearns? What do you think the DC OF will look like tonight?

DC Starting Lineup...

1. The Guzzzz - SS
2. Nick "Two-Spot" Johnson - 1B
3. THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! - 3B
4. The Big Donkey - LF
5. AK - RF
6. Ronnie B. - 2B
7. J-Max - CF
8. Wll "Blocker" Nieves - C
9. "Cool Hand" Lannan - Eating 40 Eggs.

Today's Starting Pitchers Are Going To Stare At You Now...

Paul Maholm

#28 / Pitcher / Pittsburgh Pirates

Height: 6-2

Weight: 225

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Jun 25, 1982

John "Cool Hand" Lannan

#31 / Pitcher / Washington Nationals

Height: 6-4

Weight: 225

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Sep 27, 1984

"Cool Hand" Lannan vs Paul Maholm...

Each of tonight's starting pitchers is (0-2) against the opposing team, Lannan (0-2) and 2 starts and Maholm (0-2) in 4. Lannan's allowed 8 runs, 7 earned in 9.0 innings pitched against the Pirates. Maholm has give up 17 runs, 8 HR's and 6 walks in 25.0 IP against DC. The Nationals have hit .343 against Maholm as a team. The Pirates have a .317 AVG with Lannan on the mound. Lannan's won two of his last 3 starts, with one no-decision. Maholm's winless since April 22nd and his only decision in his last 4 starts is a loss. Lannan enters tonight's start at (2-3) with a 4.00 ERA in 45.0 IP. Maholm's (3-1) with a 3.51 ERA and 25 K's...Lannan's K'd 22...Maholm...Lannan...Maholm...(ed. note - "The Pirates can't touch Lannan, period.")

Lannan vs The Pirates...

The LaRoche Bros. - 0 for 6, .000 AVG.

Nate McLouth - 2 for 4, .500 AVG, 2 2B.

Freddy Sanchez - 1 for 5, .200 AVG.

Jack Wilson - 1 for 3, .333 AVG.

The Nationals vs Maholm...(ed. note - The Nationals #'s are so much better, this one's a lock...")

Ronnie Belli-Yard - 3 for 9, .333 AVG, 2 HR's, 2 RBI's, 2 BB.

Adam Dunn - 3 for 25, .120 AVG, 7 BB, 10 K's.

Cristian Guzman - 4 for 7, .571 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI's.

Nick Johnson - 2 for 3, .667 AVG, 1 2B

Austin Kearns - 4 for 15, .267 AVG, 1 2B, 2 RBI's.

Josh Willingham - 1 for 14, .071 AVG.

Ryan Zimmerman - 2 for 10, .200 AVG.

For A Pirates Fans' Perspective, Check Out The SBN's Pittsburgh Pirates blog:

Bucs Dugout

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

Win #12 Coming Up At 7:05 pm EST. It's In The Bag...

Who's Watching The Nationals Win?