Game 117 lineups: Nats vs. Angels (Abrams scratched)

Twenty-eight major league teams have come to D.C. to face the Nationals at some point during the last two seasons. The only one that hasn’t: the Angels, who remarkably haven’t played here since 2017. That streak finally ends tonight with the opener of a three-game series (weather permitting), and that means the long-awaited return of one of the most important players from the 2019 World Series roster.

Things haven’t gone so great for Anthony Rendon since he left Washington for Anaheim about a month after hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy. He hasn’t come anywhere close to playing at the same level for the Angels, and he’s dealt with a smorgasbord of injuries on top of that. But he’s healthy now and will finally get the chance to get the ovation he deserves from the Nationals Park crowd.

The Nats, meanwhile, really need a quality start out of Mitchell Parker tonight after four consecutive subpar outings from the rest of the rotation against the Giants. The bullpen is pretty gassed at this point, so a minimum of five innings – preferably six – from Parker would be much appreciated from Davey Martinez.

The Nationals lineup faces an unfamiliar foe in José Soriano. The 25-year-old right-hander was exclusively a reliever last season and didn’t appear in the series in Anaheim. He’s done well as a full-time starter this season, entering with a 3.47 ERA and 1.206 WHIP despite a relatively low strikeout rate (7.4 per nine innings).

UPDATE: CJ Abrams has been scratched from tonight's lineup for reasons not yet disclosed. Nasim Nuñez will get a rare start at shortstop in his place. 

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:45 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 88.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Rain ending, 81 degrees, wind 7 mph out to center field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Alex Call
2B Luis García Jr.
1B Juan Yepez
LF James Wood
C Keibert Ruiz
DH Harold Ramírez
3B Ildemaro Vargas
CF Jacob Young
SS Nasim Nuñez

LHP Mitchell Parker

ANGELS
DH Nolan Schanuel
SS Zach Neto
C Logan O'Hoppe
CF Kevin Pillar
LF Taylor Ward
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Jo Adell
1B Brandon Drury
2B Michael Stefanic

RHP Jose Soriano