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RHP Sheets hoping to end slump

Aug 9, 2008 - 10:15 AM Washington (44-72) at Milwaukee (65-51) 7:05 p.m. EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets were supposed to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to the playoffs by topping the rotation. However, Sheets has been unable to hold up his end.

Sheets tries to snap a three-game personal losing streak the Brewers battle the lowly Washington Nationals on Saturday.

Sabathia, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, has been amazing since he was acquired from the Cleveland Indians on July 7, posting a 6-0 record in seven starts. He continued that trend in the series opener on Friday, logging his second shutout during the Brewers 5-0 victory over the Nationals.

Sheets (10-5, 3.14 ERA), conversely, has not recorded a victory since the Sabathia trade, going 0-3 in five starts, surrendering 19 runs in 29 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs - two earned - and six hits in six innings during his last start, but Milwaukee failed to score against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

However, the 30-year-old righthander has a great chance to get back on track against the Nationals, who are tied for last in the majors with a .244 batting average and rank 28th with 440 runs.

Sheets faced Washington once this season, but did not factor in the decision despite yielding two runs and seven hits in six innings as the Brewers claimed a 4-3 victory on May 26.

Tim Redding (8-6, 4.44) counters for the Nationals after snapping a three-game losing streak in his last start. Redding gave up four runs and six hits in five innings, but earned the win as Washington forged a 9-4 victory against the Colorado Rockies on Monday.