Looking Ahead: 10 Demands For Tonight's Game

#1 -- I demand the pitchers throw strikes tonight.

#2 -- I demand the defense make a play on every ball hit in their direction.

#3 -- I demand Jorge De La Rosa last into the 7th inning.

#4 -- I demand Nationals starter Scott Olsen doesn't make it to the 5th.

#5 -- I demand Ryan Spilborghs starts.

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Rock Solid Recrap: Wasn't Saturday Fun?

Nationals 5, Rockies 2

Yesterday wasn't. Tonight sure as hell wasn't.

What will it take to get this team clicking? Must the clubhouse manager flip the calandar to June or September and leave it there? I mean what the hell does this team need to play a little bit motivated in April.

I don't get it.

I know they're going to play better eventually. It's just so frustrating watching a team with this much talent seemingly go through the motions like the first 10-20 games don't matter as much as the final 10-20. They do, and you just can't sleepwalk through a game against an improved Washington team. We saw why tonight.

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Running Thoughts: Cook vs. Stammen

New day.  I'm completely over what transpired yesterday.  When you look at the play a few times in real speed and slo-mo, it's close.  Do I think it was an out?  Yes.

However... Do I think Clint Barmes caught the ball last year against the Cardinals?  No.  Do I think Matt Holliday touched home plate?  Maybe.  Things even out.  The Rockies will get another call this season that will likely decide a game in their favor, too.  It's frustrating, but it is what it is.  Pound the Nats tonight and we'll all feel better everything related to baseball.

Seth Smith starts for Dexter tonight.  That shifts CarGo over to center.  Olivo catches again.  The back and forth continues there,

Monday night baseball in the nation's capital.  Should be fun.

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Looking Ahead: To Tasty Nationals Pitching

First on the menu: Craig Stammen (15.63)

Alright, so that ERA is quite a bit misleading. Both of Stammen's starts have come against Philadelphia. Not exactly a receipe for success. Would you care to guess what his win-loss record is based on that ERA?

It's 0-0 of course.

Meanwhile, guys like Kevin Millwood (2.89), Roy Oswalt (2.37) and Jeremy Guthrie (3.15) all have two losses to their credit in the early season.

Indeed, stats can be very misleading, and while I fully expect the Rockies to put runs on the board tonight and this entire series, we will most definitely find out that Stammen is better than those numbers indicate. I just hope he doesn't go all Jair Jurrjens on us en route to restoring his credibility.

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Rock Solid Recrap: Four Reasons It Wasn't All Jeff Nelson's Fault

Braves 4, Rockies 3

Reason #1

When your pitching combines to walk 11 batters, your chances of winning that game are significantly hampered.

Reason #2

Dexter Fowler led off the 6th with a single. He quickly stole second and advanced to third on Brian McCann's throwing error...

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