Philadelphia Phillies (1-0, first in NL East)

Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32 in 2009)

v.

Washington Nationals (0-1, second in NL East)

Jason Marquis (15-13, 4.04 in 2009)

___________________________________________________________

The Nats look to rebound after the Opening Day 11-1 shellacking by the Phillies, and all the negative press they are getting over "Group Ticket-gate".

They'll turn to Jason Marquis, making his Nationals debut, and Mike Morse, who was inserted into the starting lineup in right field after Manager Jim Riggleman initially announced in spring training that Willy Taveras would be the right-handed hitting platoon-mate of Willie Harris.

The Nats' decision-making sometimes is like the weather in Texas: you don't like it, just wait an hour and it'll change.

And don't expect too many pinch-hit home runs when facing a lefty starter.  The bench consists of Wil Nieves, Cristian Guzman, Willie Harris, Willy Taveras and Alberto Gonzalez.  Not too much pop there.

PHILLIES

Rollins – SS

Polanco – 3B
Utley – 2B
Howard – 1B
Werth – RF
Ibanez – LF
Victorino – CF
Ruiz – C
Hamels – P

NATIONALS

Morgan – CF

Desmond – SS
Zimmerman – 3B
Dunn – 1B
Willingham – LF
Rodriguez – C
Morse – RF
Kennedy – 2B
Marquis – P

WEATHER:  Sunny and unseasonably warm.  First pitch: 87F, last out: 65F.  0% chance of precipitation.

Who's insulting whom now?

Not six hours after I posted one of my more scathing diatribes, the universe aligns and interim manager Jim Riggleman pencils Ian Desmond into the starting lineup for tonight's game against Philly.

Hmm, wonder if Rizzo was listening to everything Riggles was saying and re-thought the interim manager's opinion. Unless in the pre-game presser Riggles says Guzie's bunions were acting up and they decided to get the kid in there. Or they know it's going to get rained out?

PHILADELPHIA PHILLES (79-58, 1st in NL East; six-game win streak)

Rollins - SS
Victorino - CF
Utley - 2B
Howard - 1B
Ibanez - LF
Werth - RF
Feliz - 3B
Ruiz - C
Blanton - P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (47-92, 5th in NL East, 34 games back; two-game losing streak)

Harris - CF
Orr - 2B
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - 1B
Willingham - LF
Dukes - RF
Desmond - SS
Nieves - C
Livan! - P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Livan Hernanez (154.0 IP, 7-10, 5.44 ERA, 92 K, 58 BB)
PHI: Joe Blanton (166.0 IP, 9-6, 3.80 ERA, 136 K, 43 BB)

WEATHER

Overcast skies and rounds of showers will make for less-than-ideal baseball weather. Bring your rain gear. Chance of rain: 65%. First pitch: 68F. Last out: 63F.

The defending World Champs (and their laid-back, easy-going fans) invade Nationals Park for a three-game series, starting tonight at 7:05 pm.

In roster news, the five September call-ups are indeed in D.C. and should be added to the roster today. According to MASN.com, to make room for Logan Kensing and Zack Segovia on the 40-man roster, Scott Olsen was moved to the 60-day D.L. and Jorge Sosa was designated for assignment, essentially ending his short stint with the Nats.

Ross Detwiler, Marco Estrada and Ian Desmond were all on the 40-man to begin with.

Ah, September.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLES (77-58, 1st in NL East; four-game win streak)

Rollins - SS
Victorino - CF
Utley - 2B
Howard - 1B
Werth - RF
Ibanez - LF
Feliz - 3B
Ruiz - C
Martinez - P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (47-90, 5th in NL East, 32 games back; one-game win streak)

Harris - CF
Guzman - SS
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - 1B
Willingham - LF
Dukes - RF
Orr - 2B
Nieves - C
Lannan - P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: John Lannan (173.2 IP, 8-10, 4.09 ERA, 72 K, 59 BB)
PHI: Pedro Martinez (23.0 IP, 3-0, 3.52 ERA, 23 K, 3 BB)

WEATHER

Cool, overcast and rainy. First pitch: 72F; last out: 68F. Chance of rain 40%.

That's right, the Washington Nationals today reinstated catcher Jesus Flores from the 15-Day Disabled List. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Flores missed the last 105 games after going on the Disabled List (right shoulder) on May 15, retroactive to May 10. He injured the shoulder when he was struck by a foul tip on May 9 at Arizona. The 24-year-old has batted .311 (28-for-90) with three doubles, two triples, four home runs and 15 RBI in 26 games this season with Washington.

I can't imagine him playing a whole lot, but they'll probably try to get him some at bats here and there down the stretch.

FLORIDA MARLINS (70-64, 2nd in NL East - 8.5 games back; two-game win streak)

Coghlan - LF
Johnson - 1B
Ramirez - SS
Cantu - 3B
Baker - C
Uggla - 2B
Ross - RF
Maybin - CF
West - P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (46-88, 5th in NL East - 32.5 games back; six-game losing streak)

Maxwell - CF
Guzman - SS
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - 1B
Willingham - LF
Dukes - RF
Bard - C
Gonzalez - 2B
Mock - P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Garrett Mock (59.1 IP, 3-6, 5.01 ERA, 51 K, 28 BB)
FLA: Sean West (81.0 IP, 6-5, 4.22 ERA, 47 K, 35 BB)

WEATHER

Gorgeous, low humidity. Game time: 79F. Last out: 74F.

Abbreviated version...sorry they're so late.

COLORADO ROCKIES (67-53, 2nd in NL West, 3.5 games back; three-game winning streak)

Gonzalez - 8
Spilborghs - 7
Helton - 3
Tulowitzki - 6
Hawpe - 9
Stewart - 5
Barmes - 4
Torrealba - 2
Hammel - 1 (7-7, 4.73 ERA, 84 K, 29 BB)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (43-77, 5th in NL East, 26.5 games back; two-game losing streak)

Morgan - 8
Guzman - 6
Zimmerman - 5
Dunn - 3
Willingham - 7
Dukes - 9
Bard - 2
Gonzalez - 4
Mock - 1 (2-4, 5.27 ERA, 32 K, 23 BB)

WEATHER

Ugly hot, sticky, gross. Mostly cloudy skies, considerably sticky humidity levels, and the chance for a passing storm. First pitch 85F, final out 80F

While waiting for the latest drama to unfold...

Anyone have Jerry Dipoto's travel schedule on them?

Oh, and the $1 tickets? SOLD OUT, baby! Strasburg already a hit in DC!

COLORADO ROCKIES (66-53, 2nd in NL West, five games back; two-game winning streak)

Gonzalez - LF
Fowler - CF
Helton - 1B
Tulowitzki - SS
Hawpe - RF
Stewart - 3B
Barmes - 2B
Iannetta - C
Marquis - P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (43-76, 5th in NL East, 24.5 games back; one-game losing streak)

Morgan - CF
Guzman - SS
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - 1B
Willingham - LF
Dukes - RF
Belliard - 2B
Bard - C
Balester - P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Collin Balester (24.0 IP, 1-2, 6.00 ERA, 13 K, 6 BB)
COL: Jason Marquis (157.1 IP. 13-8, 3.55 ERA, 78 K, 51 BB)

WEATHER

Summer in D.C., hazy hot & humid. 30% chance of early storm. Game time: 85F; final out: 81F.

With the excitement of signing day passed us all now, it's back to baseball as the Nats open up a seven-game homestand, starting with the Colorado Rockies.

Nats come off the road winners of 11 of their last 14 games.

COLORADO ROCKIES (65-53, 2nd in NL West, five games back; one-game winning streak)

Gonzalez - LF
Fowler - CF
Helton - 1B
Tulowitzki - SS
Hawpe - RF
Atkins - 3B
Barmes - 2B
Iannetta - C
Jimenez - P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (43-75, 5th in NL East, 24.5 games back; three-game winning streak)

Morgan - CF
Guzman - SS
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - 1B
Willingham - LF
Dukes - RF
Gonzalez - 2B
Nieves - C
Stammen - P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Craig Stammen (89.1 IP, 3-6, 5.24 ERA, 40 K, 17 BB)
COL: Ubaldo Jiminez (158.1 IP, 10-9, 3.47 ERA, 140 K, 63 BB)

WEATHER

Hot. Real hot. Increasing humidity. Slight chance of t-storm. Game time 90F; last out 82F.

It's Adam Dunn bobblehead night! A warm night out there, but not bad for August in DC. The Nats go for win number seven in a row against one of the best pitchers in the NL.

Deadline for Strasburg now at 9 days and counting...

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (50-60, 4th in NL West--17 games back; one-game losing streak)

Unavailable at posting time.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (38-72, 5th in NL East--24.5 games back; six-game win streak)

8- Morgan
6- Guzman
5- Zimmerman
3- Dunn
9- Willingham
7- Harris
2- Bard
4- Gonzalez
1- Mock

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Garrett Mock, RHP (30.2 IP, 0-4, 6.75 ERA, 19 K, 16 BB)
ARI: Dan Haren, RHP (155.0, 11-6, 2.38 ERA, 149 K, 23 BB)

WEATHER

Very warm evening with a slight chance of isolated storm. Game time: 84F. Last out: 80F.

It's a gorgeous night out there, a beautiful night for streaking...the Nats go for win number six in a row against the team that Mike Rizzo built, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Deadline for Strasburg now at 10 days and counting...

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (50-59, 4th in NL West--17 games back; five-game win streak)

6- Drew
9- Romero
8- Parra
5- Reynolds
2- Snyder
7- Oeltjen
3- Whitesell
4- Ojeda
1- Garland

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (37-72, 5th in NL East--25.5 games back; five-game win streak)

8- Morgan
6- Guzman
5- Zimmerman
3- Dunn
7- Willingham
9- Dukes
4- Belliard
2- Nieves
1- Balester


STARTING PITCHERS


WAS: Collin Balester (14.2 IP, 1-1, 3.68 ERA, 8 K, 3 BB)
ARI: Jon Garland (137.1, 6-10, 4.26 ERA, 59 K, 45 BB)


WEATHER

Beautiful. Soak it in before August rears its ugly head tomorrow and all of next week. Game time: 80F. Last out: 73F.

The Nationals host the Marlins for the second of a three game series, looking for win number four in a row. The Nats have won seven out of their last 11 games.

Adam Dunn, who's driven in six runs over his last three games, has three home runs and 10 RBIs versus Florida this year.

FLORIDA MARLINS (55-51, 2nd in NL East--five games back; one-game losing streak)

Coghlan – LF
Johnson – 1B
Ramirez – SS
Cantu – 3B
Uggla – 2B
Ross – RF
Paulino – C
Bonifacio – CF
VandenHurk – P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (35-72, 5th in NL East-25.5 games back; three-game win streak)

Morgan – CF
Guzman – SS (11-for-26, 6 RBI last seven games)
Zimmerman - 3B (10-for-20, 3 HR, 9 RBI last seven games)
Dunn – 1B
Willingham – LF
Dukes – RF (3-for-15 since recall)
Belliard – 2B
Nieves – C
Lannan – P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: John Lannan (142.2 IP, 7-8, 3.41 ERA, 58 K, 42 BB)
FLA: Rick VandenHurk (17.0 IP, 1-0, 2.65 ERA, 16 K, 6 BB)

WEATHER

Warm and humid. First pitch: 86F. Last out: 80F. Ah, summer in D.C.

The Nats welcome back Nick Johnson to D.C. in the uniform of the Florida Marlins.

FLORIDA MARLINS (55-50, 2nd in NL East--five games back; one-game win streak)

Coghlan – LF
Johnson – 1B
Ramirez – SS
Cantu – 3B
Uggla – 2B
Hermida – RF
Ross – CF
Baker – C
Johnson – P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (34-72, 5th in NL East-26.5 games back; two-game win streak)

Morgan – CF
Guzman – SS
Willingham – LF
Dunn – 1B
Dukes – RF
Harris – 3B
Gonzalez – 2B
Nieves – C
Martin – P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: J.D. Martin (12.0 IP, 0-2, 7.50 ERA, 5 K, 1 BB)
FLA: Josh Johnson (141.0 IP, 10-2, 2.87 ERA, 114 K, 36 BB)

WEATHER

Partly cloudy and muggy. First pitch: 87F. Last out: 83F.

The Swinging Friars come to town to test the theory about irresistible forces and immoveable objects.

San Diego's team hitting is the worst in the N.L., and D.C.'s owns the N.L.'s worst team pitching.

Something's gotta give...

SAN DIEGO PADRES (37-59, 5th in NL West -- 24.5 games back; five-game losing streak)

Gwynn - CF
Cabrera - SS
Gonzalez - 1B (5-for-20 (.250) last seven days)
Kouzmanoff - 3B (5-for-23 (.217) last seven days)
Headley - LF
Blanks - RF
Rodriguez - 2B
Alfonzo - C
Latos - P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (28-67, 5th in NL East -- 27 games back; one-game losing streak)

Harris - CF (0-for-12 (.000) last seven games)
Guzman - SS (1-for-15 (.067) last seven games)
Zimmerman - 3B (3-for-20 (.150) last seven games)
Dunn - LF (10-for-24 (.417) last seven games)
Johnson - 1B
Willingham - RF
Bard - C
Gonzalez - 2B
Mock - P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Garrett Mock (16.1 IP, 0-3, 7.71 ERA, 9 K, 10 BB)
SDG: Mat Latos (4.0 IP, 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 4 K, 1 BB)

WEATHER

Partly cloudy, touch of humidity. First pitch: 82F. Final out: 74F.

Tonight's game against the Cards is a makeup for a rain postponement back in May. Looks like we'll get this one in, but there's every chance we'll have to sit through a delay at some point tonight as well. Joy.

At least if we have a rain delay it'll be on the heels of a two-game winning streak.

Welcome back to the bigs, Collin Balester. Go get Albert Pujols out. (ed.--Wait! Pujols isn't in the lineup!!! LaRussa thinks the Nats are the j.v. team. C'mon Bally!

P.S. Look at the Cards lineup and tell me two things: 1) how are they a first place team and, b) couldn't they use a player or two?

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (51-46, 1st in NL Central; three-game losing streak)
Shumaker – 2B
Rasmus – CF
DeRosa – 1B
Ludwick – RF
Ankiel – LF
Molina – C
Thurston – 3B
Ryan – SS
Wainwright – P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (28-66, 5th in NL East -- 26 games back; two-game winning streak)

Morgan - 8 (10-for-27 (.370) last seven days)
Guzman - 6
Zimmerman - 5 (4-for-21 (.190) last seven days)
Dunn - 7
Johnson - 3
Willingham - 9
Gonzalez - 4
Bard - 2 (3-for-16 (.188) last seven days)
Balester - 1

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Collin Balester (2009 debut; 7-9 with a 4.35 ERA in 19 starts for Syracuse)

STL: Adam Wainwright (137.1 IP, 10-6, 3.01 ERA, 123 K, 51 BB)

ed. -- You can forget Nick Johnson going to the Red Sox. Pittsburgh just traded Adam LaRoche to the Sawx for two non-descript minor leaguers.

Craig Stammen hopes to follow in John Lannan's footsteps tonight, on the heels of Lannan's seven-hit, no-walk shut out of the Triple-A Mets.

As a side note, the last time the Nats won two games in a row was July 4-5 against the Braves, when Lannan and Olsen went back-to-back.

For what it's worth, Mets starter Mike Pelfrey was hammered last time out (4.1 IP, nine earned runs).

NEW YORK METS (44-49, 4th in NL East -- 10 games back; one-game losing streak)

Pagan – CF
Castillo – 2B
Murphy – 1B
Wright – 3B (4-for-30 (.200) last seven games)
Francoeur – RF
Sullivan – LF
Berroa – SS
Schneider – C
Pelfrey – P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (27-66, 5th in NL East -- 27 games back; one-game winning streak)

Morgan – CF
Guzman – SS
Zimmerman – 3B
Dunn – LF
Johnson – 1B
Willingham – RF
Belliard – 2B
Bard – C
Stammen – P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Craig Stammen (66.2 IP, 2-5, 4.46 ERA, 29 K, 13 BB)
NYM: Mike Pelfrey (103.0 IP, 7-5, 5.07 ERA, 54 K, 37 BB)

WEATHER

Warm & humid, 25% chance of passing shower. First pitch: 84F. Final out: 76F.

Game two of a three-game series. Nobody making their major league debut tonight. John Lannan tries to play stopper of this six-game losing streak.

NEW YORK METS (44-48, 4th in NL East -- nine games back; one-game winning streak)

Pagan - 8
Castillo - 4
Wright - 5
Francoeur - 9
Tatis - 7
Murphy - 3
Santos - 2
Cora - 6
Perez - 1

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (26-65, 5th in NL East -- 27 games back; five-game losing streak)

Morgan - 8 (9-for-21 (.429) in last seven days)
Guzman - 6
Zimmerman - 5 (2-for-15 (.133) last seven days)
Dunn - 3
Willingham - 7
Kearns - 9
Gonzalez - 4 (3-for-16 (.188) last seven days)
Nieves - 2
Lannan - 1

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: John Lannan (118.2 IP, 6-7, 3.64 ERA, 52 K, 40 BB)
NYM: Oliver Perez (32.2 IP, 2-2, 7.99 ERA, 28 K, 32 BB)

WEATHER

Mostly cloudy, 30% chance of t-storms late. First pitch: 80F. Final out: 75F.

The New York Mets limp into Nationals Park with ten players on the D.L. for a three-game series with the hapless Washington Nationals.

The Nats have lost five in a row, ten of their last 12, and 14 of their last 18 games.

Called up to stop the bleeding is J.D. Martin, a 26-year old rookie who has dominated Triple-A hitters this summer, going 8-3 with a 2.66 ERA.

Unfortunately, manager Jim Riggleman will field one of the worst defensive lineups in the history of the Nationals today -- especially in the infield -- so Martin better be next to unhittable to be successful tonight.

NEW YORK METS (43-48, 4th in NL East -- nine games back; one-game losing streak)

Pagan - 8
Castillo - 4
Murphy - 3
Wright - 5
Francoeur - 9
Reed - 7
Cora - 6
Schneider - 2
Hernandez - 1

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (26-65, 5th in NL East -- 26 games back; five-game losing streak)

Morgan - 8
Belliard - 4
Johnson - 3
Dunn - 7
Guzman - 6
Kearns - 9
Harris - 5
Bard - 2
Martin - 1

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: J.D. Martin (major league debut; 8-3, 2.66 ERA at Triple-A Syracuse)
NYM: Livan Hernandez (100.2 IP, 5-5, 5.10 ERA, 53 K, 38 BB)

WEATHER

Comfortable temps, but humid with a 30% chance of showers. First pitch: 79F. Last out: 74.

Washington looks to break a two-game losing streak to the Cubs on a beautiful Saturday night for baseball.

The Nats have scored a grand total of three runs so far in the homestand, with last night's run pushed in on a walk by Cubs righty Carlos Zambrano. Combined with Zambrano's two-RBI double later, that made him responsible for most of the scoring in last night's ball game.

CHICAGO CUBS (45-43, 3rd in NL Central -- 2.5 games back; two-game winning streak)

Cubs lineup unavailable at post time.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (26-63, 5th in NL Central -- 24 games back; three-game losing streak)

1. Morgan, CF
2. Johnson, 1B
3. Zimmerman, 3B
4. Dunn, LF
5. Willingham, RF
6. Harris, 2B
7. Gonzalez, SS
8. Nieves, C
9. Zimmermann, P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Jordan Zimmermann (86.0 IP, 3-4, 4.50 ERA, 84 K, 28 BB)
CHC: Randy Wells (76.0 IP, 4-4, 2.72 ERA, 53 K, 17 BB)

WEATHER

Sunny and warm, high 84 F. Slight chance of evening thunderstorm. Enjoy the night.

Stammen gets the start in place of Olsen, scratched due to soreness in his left lat muscle.

CHICAGO CUBS (44-43, 3rd in NL Central--three games back; one-game winning streak)

Fukudome – CF
Theriot – SS
Lee – 1B
Ramirez – 3B
Bradley – RF
Hoffpauir – LF
Fontenot – 2B
Hill – C
Zambrano – P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (26-62, 5th in NL Central--23.5 games back; two-game losing streak)

Morgan – CF
Johnson – 1B
Zimmerman – 3B
Dunn – LF
Willingham – RF
Harris – 2B
Bard – C
Gonzalez – SS
Stammen – P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Craig Stammen (60.2 IP, 2-4, 4.45, 27 K, 12 BB)
CHC: Carlos Zambrano (102.0 IP, 5-4, 3.53, 82 K, 43 BB)

WEATHER

Warm and humid, 50% chance of thunderstorms. Game time: 83F. Last out: 75F.

The Jim Riggleman era begins tonight at Nationals Park, as the Chicago Cubs come rolling into town. The Cubs sit third in their division with a .500 record at the all-star break, and I'm sure that's a huge disappointment to North Side fans, as this team was billed as s strong contender.

But with Milton Bradley and Carlos Zambrano on the team, you never know when you might see a water cooler destroyed, so at least they have that going for them. Which is nice.

The Nats return home after a 1-6 road trip for an 11-game homestand against the Cubs, Mets, Cardinals and Padres. Anyone want to guess wins on the homestand in the comments section?

CHICAGO CUBS (43-43, 3rd in NL Central--3.5 games back; one-game losing streak)

CF Johnson
SS Theriot (11-for-26 (.423) over last seven)
RF Bradley
1B Lee (5-for-22 (.227) over last seven)
3B Ramirez
LF Soriano
2B Baker
CA Hill
SP Harden

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (26-61, 5th in NL Central--22.5 games back; one-game losing streak)

CF Morgan
1B Johnson (11-for-25 (.440) over last seven)
3B Zimmerman
LF Dunn
RF Willingham (10-for-25 (.400) over last seven)
SS Guzman
CA Bard
2B Gonzalez (8-for-13 (.471) over last seven)
SP Lannan

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: John Lannan (112.0 IP, 6-6, 3.70 ERA, 50 K, 39 BB)
CHC: Rich Harden (74.0 IP, 5-6, 5.47 ERA, 83 K, 36 BB)

WEATHER

Fairly miserable. Hot and humid, 25% chance of passing t-storm. First pitch: 87F; last out: 81.

The Nats come back off the road for a very short three-game homestand with Atlanta before hitting the road again next week.

Tonight is the debut of Nyjer Morgan, DC's newest leadoff hitter and center fielder. Bon chance, Mr. Morgan.

ATLANTA BRAVES (38-40, 4th in NL East -- two games back. Four-game win streak)

McClouth - 8
Prado - 4
Jones - 5
McCann - 2
Escobar - 6
Diaz - 7
Francoeur - 9
Kotchman - 3
Kawakami - 1

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (22-54-1, 5th in NL East -- 17.5 games back. Three-game losing streak)

Morgan - 8
Johnson - 3
Zimmerman - 5
Dunn - 7
Willingham - 9
Guzman - 6
Harris - 4
Bard - 2
Detwiler - 1

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Ross Detwiler (44.2 IP, 0-4, 5.24 ERA, 29 K, 17 BB)
ATL: Kenshin Kawakami (78.1 IP, 4-6, 4.25 ERA, 60 K, 31 BB)

WEATHER

Mostly couldy, chance of showers. Game time: 81F.