Game 109 lineups: Nats vs. Giants

How long has been since the Nationals last played at home? Well, in their most recent game at Nationals Park, Lucas Giolito started and lasted only 3 1/3 innings, Michael A. Taylor started in center field, Jonathan Papelbon took the loss, Trea Turner in center field was in its early experimental phase and the Nats held a 4 1/2-game lead in the National League East.

As the late, great Troy McClure said on the The Simpsons' 138th Episode Spectacular: "Ha ha ha, they haven't changed a bit!"

Yep, the Nationals have a new closer (Mark Melancon), Giolito and Taylor are playing for Syracuse, Papelbon is (for now) pitching in mop-up duty, Turner has essentially secured his spot as the everyday leadoff man (and regular center fielder) and the Nationals hold a seven-game lead over the Marlins in the division.

Now, they return home this weekend to face the Giants (with whom they split a four-game series last week at AT&T Park). It'll be Gio Gonzalez on the mound, with the Nats skipping over their fifth starter thanks to a bunch of off-days, and Jeff Samardzija for San Francisco.

Ryan Zimmerman is out of the lineup for the fourth straight game, his left wrist still bruised after getting hit by a pitch by Giants closer Santiago Casilla. Clint Robinson will again fill in at first base, with Daniel Murphy at second base and Trea Turner in what is now becoming his familiar position in center field...

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, Ch. 9, MLB Network (outside of D.C. market), MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 89, MLB.com
Weather: Chance of rain, 83 degrees, wind 8 mph out to left field

NATIONALS (64-44)
CF Trea Turner
LF Jayson Werth
RF Bryce Harper
2B Daniel Murphy
C Wilson Ramos
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Clint Robinson
SS Danny Espinosa
LHP Gio Gonzalez

GIANTS (62-46)
CF Denard Span
LF Angel Pagan
3B Eduardo Nunez
1B Buster Posey
RF Hunter Pence
SS Brandon Crawford
C Trevor Brown
2B Ehire Adrianza
RHP Jeff Samardzija