Baker sticks with Werth in Game 3 matchup vs. Quintana

CHICAGO - Whatever urge there may have been to alter his lineup for Game 3 of the National League Division Series, Dusty Baker ultimately decided continuity was more important than playing matchups against an opponent they've never faced.

With left-hander José Quintana on the mound for the Cubs this afternoon, the Nationals are going up against an unknown entity. Only three members of their NLDS roster have ever faced him before: Howie Kendrick (5-for-10), Adam Lind (2-for-9) and Matt Wieters (2-for-3).

Kendrick's success against Quintana, all coming in the American League, may have made him a tempting option to start in left field over struggling Jayson Werth, who is 0-for-7 in the series. But Baker didn't feel now was the time to make that move.

"You know, you just can't change your whole lineup," the Nationals manager said.

The Nats have been preparing for Quintana (who made 169 starts with the White Sox before his trade to the North Side this summer) the last few days, relying on the few guys who have faced him before and their advance scouts to come up with a plan of attack.

"We've got scouting reports; there's nothing like the naked eye seeing a guy," Baker said. "I think the advantage most of the time goes to the pitcher if you haven't seen him. So we're relying on some of the guys who might have played with him and some of the guys who played against him."

Like leadoff man Trea Turner (0-for-8), Werth has struggled at the plate in this series. The 38-year-old outfielder, though, has made better contact than Turner, though, and felt during the regular season's final two weeks that his swing was starting to come together after a three-month layoff due to a fracture in his left foot.

These are emotional games for Werth, as well, with his seven-year contract with the Nationals set to expire at season's end and his future uncertain.

"He's handling it well," Baker said. "You really can't get a true reading on Jayson, I don't think, because he doesn't show a whole bunch of emotions. We realize that we're going to have to get Jayson at-bats in order for him to get ready. He's hit the ball hard a couple times with nothing to show for it. So, you know, just continue to do what we've done."