The Nationals haven't been in this position for a while, needing to win a series finale to avoid a sweep. It was an all-too-common scenario back in April and May, but they've usually found themselves in the polar opposite situation since. But after dropping their first two games to the Dodgers this weekend - not to mention after dropping Thursday's finale against the Rockies as well - they really need a win this afternoon.
Stephen Strasburg's on the mound, and that's a good thing for the Nationals, who have been hurt by less-than-perfect starting pitching this week (aside from AnÃbal Sánchez's brilliant start Friday night). The right-hander has come through many times this season for the Nats when they've needed him, and he faces a stiff challenge today in the Dodgers lineup.
The Nationals face a righty for the first time this weekend in Walker Buehler. So Matt Adams is back in the lineup instead of Howie Kendrick. So is Gerardo Parra, getting a rare start in center field with Victor Robles getting a rare day off. Parra has been phenomenal off the bench; we'll see if that translates into multiple quality at-bats while he's batting seventh today.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, TBS, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 90 degrees, wind 7 mph out to center field
NATIONALS (55-48)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Matt Adams
C Kurt Suzuki
CF Gerardo Parra
2B Brian Dozier
RHP Stephen Strasburg
DODGERS (69-37)
1B Joc Pederson
2B Max Muncy
3B Justin Turner
RF Cody Bellinger
CF A.J. Pollock
SS Corey Seager
C Will Smith
LF Matt Beaty
RHP Walker Buehler
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