The Washington Nationals take the field tonight desperately hoping to end the Florida Marlins stranglehold over them the past few years. Washington lefty and Siena legend John Lannan takes the mound tonight to face Marlin's ace Josh Johnson, hoping to garner the Nats first road win of the season.
Johnson has, as the kids say, pwned Washington in his career, going 7-0 with a 3.36 ERA in 13 starts against the Nationals allowing just a .221 batting average against. Mr. Lannan, on the other hand, is just 2-3 with a 5.34 ERA against the Fish in his career.
The Nationals, very simply put, need to hit better with runners in scoring position. They have been victors in just one of their first five games for one reason only - the complete inability to drive in runners in scoring position. To wit, Washington is 6 for 43 (.139) with RISP.
As always, your starting lineup, via Bill Ladson's excellent twitter feed:
Hate to be the "that guy", but maybe it's time for Richard Ankiel and his .133 batting average to take a day off? Just a thought.