to advance. A mid-season form slump saw plenty of questions

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals had a decision to make before hosting the Cincinnati Reds in the series finale on Sunday at Nationals Park.And the Nationals were in the situation of having to choose between using unbeaten pitcher Stephen Strasburg (10-0, 2.90) or top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito (0-0, 0.00) to start against the last-place Reds.That is a choice that many teams wish they had to make.Its not up to me, its up to how Strasburg feels, manager Dusty Baker before Saturdays game. Right now hes feeling pretty good, but the decision will probably be made tomorrow. It might be a gametime decision.After the game, Baker said: Were getting one of our main men Stras back tomorrow. He can put us back in sync for the remainder of the first half.Strasburg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, went on the disabled list June 26, retroactive to June 16, with an upper back strain. If he comes off the DL to pitch Sunday, the Nationals will have to make a roster move.His place in the rotation was filled on Tuesday by Giolito, another former first-round pick who went four innings and allowed just one hit against the New York Mets in a rain-shortened outing.It was the first big league appearance for Giolito, considered the top pitching prospect in the minors this year.The big right-hander from Los Angeles had never pitched above Double-A Harrisburg before he was called up to start against the Mets. One scenario would be for the Nationals to send Giolito to Triple-A Syracuse, then call him back up later in the year.On any given night, he has three well-above-average pitches working for him, Mark Scialabba, the director of player development for the Nationals, said of Giolito. Along with his fastball and curve, which are well documented, his changeup has become a weapon he can use against both left- and right-handed hitters. Hes a tremendous student of the game and is striving to become a complete pitcher with the ability to field his position and hold runners well.The Nationals and general manager Mike Rizzo are not hesitant to dip into their minor league system to aid the 25-man roster.Last June, right-hander Joe Ross -- who started against the Reds on Saturday night -- was summoned from Double-A Harrisburg to join the rotation. He was later sent back to Triple-A Syracuse, then was called back up to Washington to end the season.The Reds will send lefty John Lamb (1-4, 4.60) to the mound on Sunday. He has never faced the Nationals.Cincinnati has begun an 11-day, 10-game road trip in rough fashion after a 13-4 loss Thursday and then a 4-3 loss in 14 innings on Friday. They came through with a 9-4 win in 10 innings late Saturday. It was the first extra-inning loss at home for Washington after nine such wins over the past two years.The Reds were 7-2 against the Nationals over the last two series before the four-game series began here Thursday.Manager Bryan Price had to juggle his lineup on Saturday.He dropped second baseman Brandon Phillips to the No. 6 spot in the order against Washington.Its just trying to get him back to where he is really feeling comfortable at the plate, Price said of Phillips.Joey Votto was a late scratch from the lineup just before the game with a sore right shoulder. Price said he is day-to-day. The injury came in Fridays game when Votto dove into second on a double. cheap mlb jerseys .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. wholesale authentic mlb jerseys . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. http://www.chinajerseysnflcheapwholesale.com/ . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. cheap stitched nfl jerseys . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. nfl jerseys cheap . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. A mid-season form slump saw plenty of questions raised about Brisbanes premiership credentials, those questions were answered in resounding fashion on Friday night.The Broncos 26-16 win over Melbourne at AAMI Park, off the back of a vital result against Canterbury the week before, showed that no matter where they finish on the NRL ladder, the Broncos will be a dangerous opponent come the playoffs.Brisbane got the better of Melbourne in the middle of the park behind the leadership and energy of milestone men Sam Thaiday (250th game) and Matt Gillett (150th game).Captain Corey Parker insisted the difference in the way the Broncos are playing is simply their improved execution.I think for us, it is just actions, said Parker.Thats what was missing, I suppose, six weeks ago.We werent putting those actions in place, thats where weve turned it around.Coach Wayne Bennett was clear in his feelings that recovering fromm the busy State of Origin period was the main reason for Brisbanes return to prominence.ddddddddddddIt all happened through the Origin period, said Bennett of his teams earlier form slump.You forget when you are finding fault with us and criticising us,, but on two occasions, they had to back-up three games in eight days.No club had more representatives in Origin than we did. It has a huge impact on your club.Melbourne captain Cameron Smith agreed that, having recovered from the effects of representative football, Brisbanes class was beginning to show.Oh yeah, theyve got a quality side. I know they went through a bit of a rough patch there through Origin, Smith said.Thats always going to take its toll on a team. But they all look quite refreshed now and they are all playing well. ' ' '