My Team - Nationals at Detroit

Proposed starters -

Tuesday: Strasburg vs Sanchez
Wednesday: Gonzalez vs Verlander

Even after winning 3 of 4 against the Mets, the Nationals are a) still under .500, and b) nine games out of first place in the NL East.  People don't want to say it, but it's evident. The team isn't going to win the division. The team probably isn't going to make a wild card slot. Three key contributors from last year's playoff appearance have been sent down to AAA Syracuse. Guys in the clubhouse are speaking out with a tone of frustration, over team performance & front office personnel decisions.

Fifty-six games remain. Does anyone foresee this team going on a rampage and storming its way into the playoffs? Anyone?

I hate to type "this team's looking at next season", but it appears to be true. The blame may be placed on the bench by default. Looking at the regular position players, I don't think any would be an immediate candidate for trade. They just re-signed LaRoche, and the team needs his left-handed power. Span has only been there this season; he'll get another chance to show he deserves to hit leadoff in '14. But, since the team is under-performing, someone will have to go.

I could see Tracy leaving at the end of the year. Bernadina may also be at risk, even with his skill as a defender. Espinosa may come back in '14 as a utility man (2B/SS). Moore and Hairston will compete for the role of right-handed power-hitting backup outfielder.

Anyway, here comes a quick two-gamer at Comerica Park. Tuesday night, Sanchez starts for Detroit. Career-wise, he's 8-1 with a 2.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and .212 BAA. He did get the loss his last start against the Nats on 8 May, giving up 2 earned runs in 6 IP.

Oh, by the way, Washington gets Verlander on Wednesday night. Normally, this guy is tough and durable, throwing harder as the game goes on. Lately, though, he's struggled. He's given up 12 earned runs in 11.2 innings, with a 6/7 BB/K ratio. Is his arm tired after all the high-stress innings the last few years? In recent times, one would be more concerned about the Wednesday match-up, but maybe this year Washington can score enough to beat Verlander.

On offense, 3B Cabrera is the best hitter in the game today, but he is slightly banged up (ab strain). RF Torii Hunter is dealing with an Achilles strain. 2B Infante is still out with an injured ankle. The lineup is solid enough to where they can outscore some teams (like maybe the Nationals).

Defensively, on paper people think you can take advantage of Cabrera's seeming lack of range and agility. Dirks in LF isn't known as a plus-defender. However, these guys catch what they get to.

My guess - Sanchez shuts down Washington on Tuesday, out-dueling Strasburg in yet another low-scoring game. Both guys will pitch well. Wednesday, the Nationals break through against Verlander, winning something like 5-4.

My Team - Nationals versus New York Mets

Proposed starters -

Friday, Game 1: Zimmermann vs J. Meija

Friday, Game 2: Ohlendorf vs Harvey

Saturday: Haren vs Gee

Sunday: Jordan vs Torres

It took a Harper two-run walkoff to prevent a sweep at the hands of the Pirates. After blowing a 4-run ninth inning lead, Washington did show some resilience. The six-game losing streak is over. 

Next, the Mets come to town. They're 4-3 since the All-Star break. New York is two games behind Washington in the NL East. Consider this: if the Mets were to sweep the four games with the Nationals, Washington would go into next week in 4th place in their division. Friday's day-night double-header will be interesting to watch, if only to see how Washington responds.

Last time the two teams met (late June), Washington took two of three. Washington got to the Mets' bullpen after Harvey came out. Gee pitched well, and Wheeler struggled. Washington won't see Wheeler this series.

For New York, Meija has bone spurs in his right elbow, but prefers gutting it out until the end of the season. He could throw a perfect game, he could get injured worse, or anything in between. Harvey is a beast. In his last start versus Washington, he went 7IP, with 3H, 1ER and 11K. Gee's last start against the Nats, he went 6IP, with 6H, 1ER, 3BB and 4K. Torres pitched in relief, the same game Gee started. Torres went 2IP, with 1H, 1BB and 3K.

Offensively, I was surprised to see Marlon Byrd lead New York with 17 HR and 57 RBI. David Wright is the main threat. John Buck supplies power, and handles the pitchers fairly well.

I suspect Washington has the best chances in Game 1 on Friday and the Sunday series finale. Harvey and Gee very well may repeat their earlier performances against Washington.

For the Nats, the hole gets deeper. 

Old Dude, Old Movies - "Anna Lucasta"

This 1959 release/remake of a Paulette Goddard vehicle from 1949 is stylish. It's definitely an artifact of its' day. Eartha Kitt is the titular character, and Sammy Davis, Jr., is "Danny". Danny just can't stay away from Anna.

Anna is a "good time girl"/"fallen woman" (or any other cliche you want to use). She works her assets to make a living in San Diego, after her father "Joe" (Rex Ingram) kicks her out of the family home. The plot is fairly predictable, but the dialogue makes it work. Of course there is a duality within Anna. She wants a better, more stable life. She wants to be loved. On the other hand, her self-defeating choices continue dragging her down into the sordid life on the streets.

Anna's family finds out that the son of a family friend (Henry Scott, as "Rudolph") is soon moving to southern California. Rudolph is a fine catch, handsome and educated. He's also traveling with a bit of cash, as a stake to start his new life. Some of Anna's relatives find out, and decide Rudolph must be the type of "mark" they can manipulate. Perhaps they can relieve Rudolph of part/all of his wad of cash.

Rudolph is a dreamer, and wants to believe the best in every person. He meets Anna, and the spark is immediate. In short order, he proposes marriage. She accepts, and soon wedding plans are made. However, the streets keep calling to Anna. In addition, Joe wants Anna back to the street life (since Joe sometimes benefits from Anna's playing around).

No, there are no surprises in the ending. However, the presentation is impressive. The words come quick, the soundtrack is dynamic. Elmer Bernstein and Sammy Cahn are credited as composers, and they nailed it. It's an interesting look at black life on the west coast in the late 50s.

This is a great example of why Kitt had such a following for the latter half of the 20th century. No, she wasn't a classic beauty like Lena Horne. Her allure was more earthy, more curvy. She was the kind of girl about whom mothers warned their sheltered sons. The role had her in lots of tight dresses and heels, showing off a dangerous figure.  She was quick-witted and all about surviving.

Davis was energetic, fairly bouncing off the walls. This movie is a good showcase of his work as well. He handled his lines with aplomb, did some stylish interpretive dancing, and made you pay attention every time he was on screen.

Scott, as Rudolph, was presented as the upwardly mobile black man of that era. He did a solid job as the kind of guy women would want and men would want to emulate. Ingram was blustery, aggressive and overbearing as the patriarch with his own issues.  Fredrick O'Neal, as Anna's brother-in-law Frank, was nearly a cleaned-up/younger predecessor to Fred Sanford - dealer in knick-knacks, smooth-tongued and supremely confident.

For fans of this era in film-making, you might enjoy this film. I surely did.

My Team - the San Diego Chargers

It's Wednesday, and for some National Football League teams it's the start of pre-season training camp. For my favorite team, the Chargers, it's gonna be an intriguing year.

The 2012 season was a bit of a disappointment. There were expectations of a competitive year, maybe even a playoff appearance. That wasn't to be. The 4th-and-29 late in the Baltimore game was a back-breaker.

Why am I a Chargers' fan? Well, first off I was a fan of the "Air Coryell" offense. Dan Fouts, to me, was one of the all-time great passers. Their pass routes got guys open, Fouts expertly read defenses, and the team moved the ball seemingly at will.

Second, once I realized what & where San Diego was, it became one of my favorite cities in the continental U.S. During my time in the military, I got to attend some meetings there, and fell in love even more with the city. In some daydreams, I have enough cash to actually live there. For me, there's something about ocean waves. I love the rhythm, love the sound.

Anyway, this year, there are certain things I would love to see:

a) Better line play on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they have to protect QB Philip Rivers. Defensively, they have to rush the passer well enough to avoid over-exposing the defensive backs.

b) A placekicker who can 1) stay healthy enough to play 16 games, and 2) kick accurately enough to help the team win close games. Nate Kaeding had his ups and downs during his Chargers' career. He's retired now, so hopefully someone else emerges to claim the job.

c) Rivers is steady enough at QB to lead a more consistent offense. Last year, too many 3-and-outs, too many fruitless possessions.

d) Serious consideration to identifying Rivers' successor. While still a competent QB, Rivers is getting older & he's absorbed a lot of punishment. How much longer can Rivers stand in the pocket, taking a beating, before the team needs a younger player in that spot?

I don't expect the team to win the Super Bowl. I would love to be wrong.

In Dreams - "My Mom Builds Houses"

I'd moved back to my hometown. Been looking forward to it for a while, so I felt good. I was in a U-Haul, with my SUV in tow. Through Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, it was a cool trip across America.

I arrive at the address she gave me, and it's a really nice 3-bedroom ranch home. Two thousand square feet, two-car garage, central air. For a divorced guy like me, it's plenty of house. The front door opens, and my mom comes out to greet me, wearing a tool belt. Seems she'd been working around the clock to make this happen. She built the foundation, the framing, put down the wiring, picked the appliances and did the wood flooring.

As she greets me, my mom apologizes. She was inside working on a granite counter for the breakfast island, and it wasn't done. So, I felt obligated to take her to one of those big-box, warehouse home improvement stores.

The store was as big as an aircraft hangar, and nearly as cozy. We walked around that place for quite a while, but didn't quite find what she was looking for. As a good son, I didn't dare second-guess her decisions in this area. I was still blown away that she had built the house from scratch. So, we walked some more. And we walked. And we walked some more...

My Team - Nationals versus Pittsburgh

Probable starters -

Monday: Haren vs Morton
Tuesday: Jordan vs Cole
Wednesday: Strasburg vs Liriano
Thursday: Gonzalez vs Burnett

(Starting pitchers subject to change)

All we need is Steve Perry singing about "the boulevard of broken dreams". I haven't given up on the 2013 season for my Washington Nationals, but it's getting late. Stuff like "small sample size" don't matter any more. It's pretty clear the team is scuffling, and there's no quick fix to regain the promise from the off-season.

Getting swept at home by the Dodgers over the weekend didn't mathematically shut the door on the season, but Nats' fans have to make an effort to see positives. Starting pitching is still pretty good. Desmond and Rendon are highlights offensively and defensively.

Starting Monday night, here comes Pittsburgh. The Pirates are two games behind St. Louis in the NL Central. In July, the Buccos are 6-9 so far. Sunday, they broke a three-game losing streak with a one-run win at Cincinnati.

Most fans know about McCutchen in CF. He's their best all-around player, and a joy to watch. Guys like Garrett Jones (1B/OF), Pedro Alvarez (3B) and Starling Marte (LF) are dangerous hitters as well. Keep McCutchen off the bases and Alvarez in the park, and maybe the Nationals can win this series.

For pitching, Morton is an ex-Brave who's battled injuries lately. He's a big dude, and works hard to keep the ball down. Cole is their phenom, another big, hard-throwing guy who has pitched well despite having los this last three decisions. Liriano is the former Twin, once considered the next Johan Santana (when Santana was healthy and dominant). Liriano doesn't have the hard stuff as earlier in his career, but his slider can be difficult when it's right. Burnett is the cagey veteran who can still get the ball to the plate in the low-mid-90s. He's pitched better this year than his 4-7 W-L record would indicate.

Defensively, Pittsburgh is middle-of-the-pack in the NL. Alvarez leads the team with 16 errors, mostly on errant/rushed throws. McCutchen has a good arm and great range in CF. Jordy Mercer (filling in at 2B for Pittsburgh native Neil Walker) is steady going to his left and on the double play pivot. Jones isn't a great RF, but catches what he can get to. Marte in LF is a budding star, and has a good arm.

Realistically, the way Washington is hitting, losing three of four in this home series is possible. As a die-hard fan, I look at every series from here on out as the point where the turnaround starts. Washington's winning three of four now would suddenly make the season look a bit brighter. When does the breakout begin?

Old Dude, Old Movies - "The Visit"

I stumbled across this movie Sunday. I barely paid attention the first few minutes. Once I did pay attention, I was blown away. This movie is cold-blooded. Released in 1964, you just know you couldn't get away with making such a film in America at that time. The film is too confrontational, and it gets at the inner part of human nature America didn't want to admit in that era.

If you had the power over your neighbors, power enough to sway their minds, what would you do with it? What price would you pay for such power?

I'll say it up front: you really ought to watch this film.

Ingrid Bergman stars as "Carla". Anthony Quinn is the male lead, "Serge". As the film opens, Carla comes back to her small home town in some far-off European nation. She's quite possibly the richest woman in the world, and the town puts out its' best welcome. That welcome is modest, because the town has fallen on economic hard times (think about the present troubles in Detroit, for example).

Carla knows about the town's struggle, and makes an offer. She'll give the town a large sum of money for improvements, and give a matching amount to be evenly distributed among the citizens. Alas, there is one string attached. Serge must be executed.

In a bit of confrontational exposition, Carla reveals that Serge got her pregnant when she was seventeen. The same townsfolk who honor her in the present day called her a whore back then, and banished her from the down in the dead of winter. Carla did desperate, sordid things to survive the intervening years. Now, she wants revenge, and thinks she has the means to achieve it.

Initially, the town's leaders are horrified at such an offer, rejecting it out of hand. Carla, however, is patient. She's been planning this power play for years. She sits on a balcony in a rented villa, overlooking the town square and Serge's dry goods store. Day after day she looks down on him, waiting for circumstances to change in her favor.

Over time, though, the people start to second guess their principles. Serge was a respected member of this community, but Carla's disclosure upsets that. One by one, the prospect of a financial windfall changes the town and its leaders.

Two scenes really stood out to me. One was the "my panther is loose" scene, where Serge's wife "Mathilda" (Valentina Cortese) empties a pistol in Carla's exotic pet. Mathilda's not just shooting the cat, but symbolically killing the love for her husband.  The second scene that hit me was Serge's attempt to catch a late-night train to leave the town for good. The men of the town find out, and "see him off". The scene ends with Serge at the train station platform, consumed with despair, with two forlorn lights shining down on a defeated man.

 Bergman made a reputation on her beauty and screen vulnerability. Here, she's cold as metal and vulgar as any nouveau riche person could be. Even with that, there are weird little moments where her character's seventeen-year-old self leaks out. She admits she "died" that fateful day the townsfolk drove her away. On some level, she's trying to find closure for that death of self.

Quinn, with a rich history of masculine, powerful roles, appears go through the stages of grief in this movie. Serge had moved on from Carla, achieving his goals in life (he married into a rich family, sired a son, owned his own business). Carla's return wiped out nearly all of his life. He wants to fight, but is resigned to the fact that he's finally being held accountable for his past indiscretions.

The most chilling part for me was the ease with which the townsfolk were willing to sell out Serge for a certain price. That selling-out started slowly, but once it picked up momentum it really made me think of this present day. How quickly would we do the same if the right person suggested it, or the right price was offered. This script pulls no punches.

Watch for Irina Demick as "Anya". Carla meets Anya, sees something familiar in the younger woman, and informally makes Anya her protege. Demick is alluring in this role, with qualities similar to a young Sophia Loren.

Yeah, for some the ending might be predictable. To me, that didn't make it any less enjoyable. I wrote it earlier, and I write it again - you really ought to watch this film. Give it your full attention.

My Team - Nationals versus Dodgers

Proposed starters -

Friday: Strasburg vs Nolasco
Saturday: Gonzalez vs Kershaw
Sunday: Zimmerman vs Grienke

(Starters subject to change, especially immediately after the break)

OK, so the All-Star break is over. It seemed way too long. As much as the Nationals have struggled, they're only six games out of first place in the NL East. The Dodgers are better off in some ways. Although they're right at .500, they're only 2.5 games out of first in the NL West.  The Dodgers are 9-4 so far in July. The lineup seems to be gelling as the weather heats up.

These teams are so much alike. Leadoff-caliber guys (Span/Crawford). High-priced lefty hitters at first base (LaRoche/Gonzalez). Young phenom outfielders you can't ignore (Harper/Puig). Expensive outfielders who've battled injuries since becoming rich (Werth/Kemp). Two-way, All-Star caliber shortstops (Desmond/Ramirez). Ace pitchers that can be tough on the opposition.

When the teams last met in mid-May, the Dodgers took the last two of the three-game set in Chavez Ravine. Zimmermann got a win in game one, but Haren and Detwiler pitched well in close, low-scoring losses the next two nights.

I expect this three-game series to be similar to that one. Nolasco is competitive, but Kershaw and Grienke can be lights out. Kershaw has maybe the best stuff of any lefty starter in the game, while Grienke is precise and economical with his pitches. Each of those two is capable of going deep into the game without being overly taxed.

Runs will be hard to come by. The Nats need to do a better job with RISP, although there may not be many. Leaving runners on, especially in the early innings, will be tough to overcome. Brandon League is the Dodgers' closer, and he has blown four saves. However, the Nationals' late-inning lightning from last year isn't present as much this season.

Los Angeles is led by 1B Gonzalez. Puig has been an energizing force since coming to the majors, and guys like A.J. Ellis, Mark Ellis and Andre Either can hurt an opponent with clutch hitting. Ramirez is healthy, and is one of best power-hitting shortstops in the game.

This part you can clip-and-save from here on out: Washington needs to win a lot, possibly nearly every series from now to the end of the season if they hope to fulfill the promise of the preseason predictions. They need to get to Nolasco on Friday night & try to build momentum for the rest of the weekend.

Justice, Morality, Irrational Fear and Other Things...

I can't lie. After the Zimmerman verdict last week, I didn't want to write. I was dismayed, and angered. So, I gave it a week, muddled through a few thoughts in my brain bucket and finally decided to share a few things.

1) The "process" may have worked mechanically, but in reality it failed. From what I understand in the media, at the moment just before the confrontation, Martin was walking home from the store. From what I understand, he wasn't in the midst of committing a crime. He was unarmed. Can anyone shed more light on this for me?

2) The shooter was advised by the police not to engage, according to what I've heard. The shooter instigated the scenario anyway. Does anyone have better knowledge?

3) The jury inadvertently established/affirmed an informal policy - you can shoot an unarmed African-American man and be found "not guilty". As another African-American man, I don't wish to be shot while I attempt to live out my golden years.

4) To the gun owner/s reading this, I truly don't care if you own a gun or how many. What I do care about is getting shot. I don't break the law (except for speeding - you got me). If I'm not committing a crime, don't shoot me due to stereotyping or irrational fear.

(Admittedly, I find it odd so many people get guns "to protect their homes", but I don't read an avalanche of home defenses in the papers. I do read about an avalanche of crimes and shootings, perpetrated towards innocent people.)

5) Speaking of, we are fairly smothered in a culture of that irrational fear. Frankly, I'm sick of it. I'm sick of taking the blame for crimes I'll never commit. I'm sick of being accused of fostering an unsafe environment by my very existence, when I'm a law-abiding citizen. Deal with me as an individual, not as a stereotype. Get over your fear and face me in the real world, human being to human being.

6) I dare any of you with kids to truly sit down and ask yourselves "how would I feel if my child were killed under questionable circumstances?" If Martin were your son, could you be so sure "the system worked"?

(Rant over.)

My Team: Nationals at Miami

Proposed starters -

Friday: Strasburg vs Eovaldi
Saturday: Haren vs J. Fernandez
Sunday: Jordan vs Slowey

(Starters subject to change)

Treading water. That's what it looks like, from where I sit. Good things happen (like Desmond's season). Bad things happen (the team's offense, overall). The All-Star break commences after this series, and Washington would love a sweep this weekend. The Marlins are the type of team that contenders dominate. Are the Nats as good as I thought in March?

On Wednesday, the Marlins broke a five-game losing streak with a home win against Atlanta. Looking at this Miami roster, they have familiar veteran names like Placido Polanco, Juan Pierre and Greg Dobbs. Giancarlo Stanton is the power guy who would get more attention on a better team. Logan Morrison has shown flashes of potential, between periods of injury.

The Marlins' pitching staff has potential with Jose Fernandez and Henderson Alvarez. A good-looking young position player, Adeiny Hechavarria, homered the last time the two teams met. He leads his team with a .236 BA.

After the Nationals losing three of four in Philadelphia, it's hard to tell what Washington will do against this Marlins' team. One would expect the Nationals to sweep this struggling Miami bunch, but I don't have any idea.

Washington's offense is so inconsistent. Philadelphia made four errors on Thursday night, but the Nats couldn't cash in.

Strasburg should dominate on Friday night, but he shows signs of fatigue and frustration on hot nights. If the roof is open, look for him to struggle around the 6th inning. Haren showed his experience in a solid start last time out against Philly; I hope he can continue against the Marlins. Jordan also looked pretty good last time out against the Phillies. Maybe Miami is an opportunity for him to gain more confidence.

The first half of this season has been underwhelming, to be charitable. Maybe winning this series, plus taking a break, will give the Nationals a boost once the second half of the season starts. Maybe...

It Feels Like A Graduation

My son keeps a pretty busy schedule. He's heavily involved in his church, he's in two bands and he's working his way through college. So, there are days where we don't see each other very much. I was mildly surprised to see him earlier than usual on Tuesday morning. He was getting ready to start his day, and shared with me a pretty big announcement. He'd found his first grown-man, full-time, go-to-work-every-day job, and he was to start in a couple of hours.

Like many in his generation, he's troubled by the state of employment in this country. And also like many in his generation, he's trying to figure out what job would be the best fit for his future. Meanwhile, he's got me in his ear, "reminding" him how the "early bird gets the worm", et cetera.

So, on Tuesday, he showed a sense of excitement as well as some relief. I too felt some relief, but for a different reason. I suspect most parents are concerned about the paths their offspring take. I am truly excited for him, based on his employer's mission.

Personally, even as I celebrate his opportunity, I found myself awash in nostalgia. My son is the second-born of my two kids, and I've watched his ups and downs over the years. I found myself remembering his days in pre-school and the day he got his first drum kit. I could see the day he got three tackles in the opening high school football game of his senior season and the day he drove off to college.

So now, we're on "short final" for his landing as an independent man. Before long, he'll move out and build his own life apart from me. He's the last reason I stay in this town, and once he's on his own I'll be done as a parent in this life. Rearing my kids gave my life a sense of focus and purpose. After spending all these years loving, directing and nagging my kids, they won't need my full-contact version of fathering. On some level, it feels like I graduated Tuesday from dad to advisor.

Only God knows what the future holds. With this long-anticipated event, my purpose has to evolve. I can live wherever I want, but what's the best destination? I can spend my days however I want, but what's the best choice for each moment? Do I default into someone selfish, or do I use the remaining years to choose a worthwhile path?

Just like a school graduation, the path ahead is wide-open. The good news is I have lots of choices. The bad news is I have lots of choices.

My Team - Nationals at Philadelphia

Proposed starters -

Monday: Haren versus Lannan
Tuesday: Jordan versus Hamels
Wednesday: Gonzalez versus Lee
Thursday: Zimmermann versus Kendrick

Monday morning, Philly is in 3rd in the NL East, 7.5 GB Atlanta and 3.5 GB the Nationals. So far, July has been good to the Phils - winning two of three at Pittsburgh and two of three at home versus the Braves.

Yeah, Ryan Howard is on the DL (left knee inflammation). Setup reliever Mike Adams is also on the DL (right biceps tendinitis). This is still a veteran team that doesn't panic. This series is gonna be tough. Last meeting, in mid-June, Philly took two of three in Washington.

Last time (17 June), Lannan pitched 5 effective innings against the Nationals (6H, 2ER, 1BB, 4K). Hamels didn't pitch in that series, but in 25 career starts he has a 4/1 K/BB ratio (173K/43BB), a 1.09 WHIP and a .223 BAA. On 18 June, Lee went 8IP, giving up 5H, 2ER and striking out 9. On 19 June, Kendrick pitched 7.2 innings against the Nationals, giving up 2 hits, one earned run, one walk and striking out 6. It's a good think the Nationals acquired Scott Hairston from the Cubs on Sunday (for a Single-A pitcher to be named).

In the weekend sweep of the Padres, Washington's offense started showing signs of life. Wilson Ramos' return to the lineup immediately provided a spark. However, the Nats' bullpen struggles continued. Washington will need to break through against the Philadelphia starting staff. Hairston may find himself in the lineup sooner rather than later. His power bat could be a big help right away. Tyler Moore looks like the odd man out for now. Hopefully, Washington scores enough to give the bullpen some breathing room.

For the Phils, Domonic Brown's good year should continue in this series. Keep Chase Utley, Michael Young and Ben Revere off base, and maybe Brown won't do as much damage.

Monday, I'm rooting for Haren to be competitive deep in the game. Maybe the time off has helped. Monday is gonna be a slugfest, where the better bullpen gets its' team a win. Hamels will out-pitch the promising rookie Jordan on Tuesday. Lee will shut down Washington on Wednesday, and Zimmermann will shut down Philadelphia on Thursday. Given my guesswork, Monday is a must-win for Washington. A split won't help the Nats get closer to Atlanta, but losing three of four would dampen some of the recent good feelings.

In Dreams Two-fer - "Hostage" & "Deployed, Again?"

First one, I was at a college auditorium. Don't know why, but during the time there a team of folk took us hostage. Even though they had weapons, we didn't feel any particular threat or danger. The bad guys allowed us to walk around the concourse that surrounded the auditorium fairly freely.

Every once in a while, as I walked around, I encountered two women. I was romantically involved with both. Each woman was aware of the other, and I sensed that each was preparing to confront me about the other. I didn't feel any dread about that either.

Eventually, us hostages got bored with our status, so we started formulating various escape options. While some others were in a corner, I wandered over to an exterior door. I could see people outside coming towards the door, including friends of mine from church. As they started to open the door, someone else exited while whispering "don't go in there". My friends paused for a minute, which allowed me to slip through the door. 

As I got outside, one of my friends handed me a 9mm pistol. As I examined the pistol, I sensed someone watching me. I looked up to my right, and saw a man reclining on a retaining wall. He seemed calm. I was unsure if he was a bystander or part of the team who took us hostage. I found myself contemplating whether or not I should shoot him or enlist his help in freeing other hostages.

Second dream, I was at yet another undisclosed location in southwest Asia. It was that typical deployment location, with sand all around & gravel in a few places. As usual, after my daily duties were complete I walked around a bunch. I could hear the crunch of the gravel under my feet. 

When I got to my room, my son was there. He was fiddling with a cell phone, and trying to teach me some little-used technique. I got bored and restless, and found myself staring out the window. Eventually, I made my way to a laptop, and started surfing the 'Net.

Old Dude, Old Movies - "Murder, Inc."

This 1960 release was interesting and enjoyable. It tells of gangster Louis "Lepke" Buchalter and his bloody confederation of hirelings used to terrorize the nation.

Set in the 1930s, it opens with a murder. It ends with more murders. In the meantime, we meet the gangsters holding sway over New York and other parts of the country. We also meet the lawmen and lawyers who are determined to break the gangsters' grip.

There's a bunch of notable actors in this one. In his debut film, Peter Falk is chilling as cold-blooded killer "Abe Reles". He's quick with a blade or a quip, and completely without remorse. Stuart Whitman is "Joey", no choirboy but possessing a conscience. He gets pulled into the dirty life of the syndicate, and desperately wants out. His girl "Eadie" (May Britt) is alluring and loyal. Her loyalty to Joey is put to the test over and over again.

David J. Stewart is "Lepke", the syndicate head whose outward calm belies a relentless focus. He's determined to hold on to his place at the top of the organization. He'll order a hit on whoever gets in the way of his business goals.

Simon Oakland, Morey Amsterdam and Vincent Gardenia have key roles as well. Also, look for the legendary Sarah Vaughan singing in one scene in an after-hours club.

The story is presented at times in a near-documentary style. For those who remember the "Untouchables" television series with Robert Stack, this movie will feel familiar.

I got a kick out of it. Cool story, great ensemble of acting talent. Check it out when you have the time.

My Team - Nationals versus San Diego

Proposed starters -

Friday: Gonzalez versus Cashner
Saturday: Zimmermann versus Marquis
Sunday: Strasburg versus Erlin

(Starting pitchers subject to change)

The Padres were a bit of a surprise this season, up until this current six-game losing streak. They lost the last three of a four-game series at Miami, just before getting swept in a three-game set at Boston. During the losing streak, they've only scored seven runs.

San Diego has some good arms in the rotation and bullpen. Cashner is a big, hard-throwing guy with a 1.17 WHIP and a .248 BAA. On 19 May, he did pretty well in a home start against Washington (6.2IP, 7H, 3ER, 1BB, 6K). Marquis is a cagey veteran. His stats don't jump out at you, but he competes and throws strikes. Marquis leads the team with 9 wins. Erlin is a slightly-built lefty rookie whose last start at Boston didn't go well (3.2IP, 5 H, 3ER, 3BB, 1K). Huston Street is the closer, but he's not "lights out" every time out. He's been known to give up a run here or there. His entering a one-run game isn't a guarantee he'll shut down the opponent.

Offensively, the Padres are a lot like Washington. Some guys are having decent years, but nobody's stats jump out at you. OFs Carlos Quentin and Will Venable supply some power. OF/IB Kyle Blanks is a hulking guy who can drive in a run. SS Everth Cabrera has 31 steals, but he's on the 15-day DL (strained left hamstring). Chase Headley was their big gun in '12, but he hasn't found a groove yet this year.

Defensively, OFs Venable and Chris Denorfia have decent range, but not plus arms. Teams can run on those two. SS Pedro Ciriaco has range and a good arm, but has 3 errors in his first 47 chances since coming over from Boston. Overall, they are a solid, not-flashy, defensive team.

For the Nationals, it's more of the same. After the 4-game split with Milwaukee, the team is one game over .500. Again. Wilson Ramos' return to the lineup on Thursday was a boost (5 RBI). As much as I like Suzuki as a catch-and-throw guy, Ramos is an offensive threat. Maybe the Thursday lineup is the one the team needs to use going ahead (Desmond batting 2nd, Werth batting 6th).

I expect a pitchers' duel on Friday, and Zimmermann/Strasburg fairly dominant over the weekend. Washington needs to win all three. The Nationals are only 6 games behind NL-East-leading Atlanta, with nearly half the season left. Washington still has a chance to fulfill the preseason expectations. When does the needed hot streak start?

"Baby, I'm Back"

Omaha was nice. Got to see old friends and make a new one. Chicagoland was nice, meeting new friends, seeing relatives and enjoying the sights of the area. Memphis was Memphis. Home is always a treat.

For the 13 days, it was 3,400 miles of driving (without a speeding ticket, by the way), eight different states and nice people every step of the way. I watched the Billy Crystal movie "Parental Guidance", and found my ability to laugh again. I walked through a wilderness preserve and saw what my favorite local park could be with a little political foresight.

At a baseball game, I saw for the first time a foul ball land right next to me, and I let it go. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, I got to argue the fundamentals of barbecue with a total stranger. In the end, we were both laughing.

This is one of the biggest things I love about traveling. I get to meet people. Every person's story is valuable and endlessly fascinating. Hearing someone's perspective on an issue gives me food for thought. I won't always agree out of hand, but those exchanges give me a chance to gain some wisdom.

Now that I've had my two weeks of goofing off, it's time to write again.