Probable pitchers

Posted April 14, 200619 yr

Friday, April 13

Ryan Drese, RHP (0-1, 2.25) @ Dontrelle Willis, LHP (0-0, 1.38)

Scouting Report:

Drese will make his second start of the season against the Marlins on Friday night at Dolphins Stadium. It will also be his second career game verus Florida, as Drese gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings and struck out eight in his start against the Marlins last season. In his last start, Drese made his 2006 debut last Sunday against the Astros and lasted four innings and gave up four runs -- one earned.

Splended in two starts, Willis is still searching for his first win of the season. The D-Train has been involved in successive no-decisions, and in 13 innings has allowed just two runs. He gave up two runs in eight innings in his last start, at the Mets last Sunday. In the month of April, Willis remains 8-0 in his young career. Lifetime, Willis is 8-3 with a 3.02 ERA against Washington.

Saturday, April 15

John Patterson, RHP (0-0, 6.30) @ Scott Olsen, LHP (0-0, -.--)

Scouting Report

The Marlins have had Patterson's number, especially last season when he was 0-3 with a 4.56 ERA in five games against them. He's 1-4 with a 4.22 ERA overall against them, including 1-2 and 2.77 at Dolphins Stadium. Patterson got his second straight no-decision against the Astros Monday, but his six-inning stint, in which he allowed three earned runs, lowered his ERA from 9.00 to 6.30.

Optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque late in Spring Training, Olsen will be activated in time to join the rotation against the Nationals. The Marlins went with a four-man rotation the first week-and-a-half because two off-days enabled them to not need a fifth starter. The left-hander appeared in five games last year, with four starts. He's logged 20 1/3 innings, and he hasn't faced Washington.

Sunday, April 16

Ramon Ortiz, RHP (0-2, 8.18) @ Sergio Mitre, RHP (1-1, 3.75)

Scouting Report

Ortiz has little experience in Dolphins Stadium, pitching there only once and having a 1-0 record with a 7.50 ERA in that game. He is 1-1 overall against the Marlins with a 3.46 ERA in two games, including seven innings when he didn?t allow an earned run and lost 2-0 last season.

In his first start ever at Dolphins Stadium, Mitre was victimized by the long ball. The right-hander yielded two home runs to San Diego's Khalil Greene, and five runs on seven hits in six innings to even his record on the season. In two starts, he has logged 12 innings, surrendering five runs. For his career, Mitre has faced the Nationals once as a member of the Cubs. He lost that contest last year, giving up one run in 2 1/3 innings.

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