Home Stretch

The Wizards enter the home stretch of the season, and face what basically amounts to 3 must win games at home to make the playoffs. The race for the 7th and 8th playoff spots is on, and it's not going to be easy for the Wizards to get either of those spots. The good news for the Wizards, though, is the fact that the Wizards have 3 of the last 4 games at home, and are unbeaten in their last 7 home games, dating back to late June. Chicago, though, is actually a decent road side, unlike the Wizards, and are 6-4-3 on the road this season. In Wizards currently lead the season series, 1-0-1 after winning in Chicago, for their only road win of the season, and tying 0-0 in KC in late July.

Jack Jewsbury will be back into the lineup for the game this weekend after serving his suspension. The only big issue for the Wizards, is that Davy Arnaud is carrying an injury, but should be ready to go tomorrow. Claudio Lopez is not going to be playing tomorrow it looks like, so he won't be on the bench. Talk from Thad in his post yesterday was that Kevin Souter had been practicing with the first team, could we see him earn his first start this weekend? If so, who would he replace? My guess would be Abe Thompson, who has looked ok, but not great for the Wizards since he was traded here. So I think there's a chance we'll see a lineup like this tomorrow.

Hartman
Leathers - Conrad - Wahl - Harrington
Jewsbury
Souter - Arnaud - Espinoza
Gomez - Wolff

PREDICTION - As I said, the Wizards need to win this game or the playoffs become extremely unlikely. With Chicago being a good road team, the Wizards are going to have to be strong up the middle, taking care of Blanco, and Jimmy Conrad marking up Brian McBride. Hopefully Jewsbury has a game like he did last time these two teams played, and he shuts down Blanco.

KC - 2 (Wolff, Gomez)
Chi - 1 (Blanco)