Game 138: Mets at Nats

File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER

The Nats try to take this weekend series from the Mets today at Nationals Park.

Livan Hernandez may not be the greatest pitcher in Washington Nationals history, but he's made the most starts in the club's brief history and he's certainly been the heart and soul of this team anytime he's been on the roster.

Today, though, Livo makes what is probably going to be his final start of this season (and perhaps his final start as a National). With Stephen Strasburg and Tom Milone joining the rotation, someone has to get bumped, and Hernandez will be that guy. Though there's mutual interest in returning next season, it might come only as a long reliever.

In other news, the Nats are going with another new look in the outfield today. Michael Morse has a rare day off, so Roger Bernadina will be in left field. Rick Ankiel is starting, but he's actually in right field for the first time with Jayson Werth in center field.

Enjoy the game...

METS at NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m.
TV: MASN, Ch. 50
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 87 degrees, Wind 13 mph out to CF

STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (64-73)
SS Ian Desmond
LF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
CF Jayson Werth

Game 137: Mets at Nats

File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER

The Nats are back in town for the start of a 10-game homestand.

While plenty of his fellow Nationals farmhands were receiving all kinds of attention and hype, Tom Milone simply went about his business and pitched his tail off. And tonight -- after going a combined 36-16 with a 2.99 ERA and a ridiculous 416-to-75 strikeout-to-walk ratio the last three seasons -- the 24-year-old lefty makes his big-league debut.

Milone, a 10th-round pick out of USC in 2008, isn't an overpowering pitcher. So his command will need to be superior tonight against the Mets' lineup. Dillon Gee, who has enjoyed a surprisingly strong season himself, starts for New York.

The Nats are featuring an interesting look tonight. Roger Bernadina is back in the lineup, but he's in right field with Jayson Werth in center field. Jesus Flores, who caught Milone plenty of times this season at Syracuse, is behind the plate.

Enjoy the game (and for those attending in person, the postgame concert by Lifehouse)...

METS at NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m.
TV: MASN
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 84 degrees, Wind 5 mph out to LF

STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (63-73)
SS Ian Desmond
RF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Michael Morse

Game 136: Mets at Nats

File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER

The Nats are back in town for the start of a 10-game homestand.

Losers in eight of their last nine games, the Nationals have seen their one-time firm hold on third place in the NL East come apart. They enter this weekend's series three games behind the Mets for the third slot in the division, so there's plenty at stake at Nationals Park beginning tonight.

Ross Detwiler gets the start, looking to continue his recent run of success. Danny Espinosa gets an extremely rare day off -- he's now started all but four games this season, and in the previous three he's still come off the bench to play -- so Alex Cora is at second base.

Also, Roger Bernadina is back, recalled from Class AAA Syracuse because the Nats need another healthy outfielder with Laynce Nix battling a groin injury. He and reliever Doug Slaten are the first official September call-ups. Tom Milone will join the group tomorrow and make his big-league debut. More guys should be coming next week after Syracuse's season comes to an end.

I'm still on the paternity leave list, taking care of Mrs. Z and baby Brian, who are both doing well. It's going to be an exciting weekend at the Zuckerman house, with grandparents, aunts, uncles and others invading the place. Enjoy tonight's game...

METS at NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m.
TV: MASN
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Mostly sunny, 78 degrees, Wind 7 mph out to LF

STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (63-72)
SS Ian Desmond
CF Rick Ankiel
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Michael Morse

Strasburg dominates in final rehab start

Hello everyone, it's Chase filling in for Mark as he continues to adjust to the Dad Life. We have a few videos from CSNwashington.com, including two versions of highlights from Stephen Strasburg's one-hit performance last night for the Harrisburg Senators. First, we have the clip that ran in the show. And second we have the original feed from Harrisburg with our friend Terry Byrom's call (click on "Read More" to view that). Enjoy...

Game 135: Nats at Braves

File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER

It's the rubber game of the series at Turner Field tonight.

Though the Braves are near-locks to reach the postseason as the NL's wild card for the second straight season, they've had a devil of a time dealing with the Nationals this year. The two teams have split their first 14 games this season, and with a victory tonight, the Nats would finish 2011 with a 5-4 record at Turner Field.

Chien-Ming Wang will be on the mound, facing a repeat opponent for the first time. The Braves got to him for six runs (only two earned) over five innings on Aug. 3, but he's made significant progress since then. Longtime nemesis Tim Hudson (12-3, 1.97 ERA in his career vs. the franchise) starts for Atlanta.

Enjoy the game, and be sure to keep an eye on Harrisburg, where Stephen Strasburg tonight makes his final rehab start in preparation for Tuesday's return to the big leagues...

NATIONALS at BRAVES
Where: Turner Field
Gametime: 7:10 p.m.
TV: MASN
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 184
Weather: Partly cloudy, 87 degrees, Wind 5 mph RF to LF

STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (63-71)
SS Ian Desmond
CF Jayson Werth
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Michael Morse