Game 145 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

The Nationals avoided the ignominy of being no-hit for the first time Monday night, but let's be honest: Even if it happened, it would've come against a worthy foe in Sandy Alcantara, an All-Star who was in peak form in the series opener. Tonight, they face a highly touted, but far less accomplished opponent in Jesús Luzardo.

Yes, the same Luzardo the Nationals drafted and then traded to the Athletics in the Sean Doolittle/Ryan Madson deal. The same Luzardo who was traded to Miami this summer for Starling Marte and has struggled mightily since, including an Aug. 24 loss to the Nats. So the home lineup should feel like it needs to put Monday night behind it and come through with a much better showing tonight, given the matchup.

Speaking of that lineup, both Josh Bell and Ryan Zimmerman are in it. Yes, Bell is starting in left field again, an arrangement that has allowed Zimmerman to get some rare starts at first base without forcing the club's home run leader to the bench. So far, Bell has acquitted himself well out there, though he hasn't really been tested much. We'll see how it goes tonight.

Erick Fedde gets the ball, and the right-hander could sure use a quality start after three straight rough outings. His last good one, though, happened to come against the Marlins. In that same Aug. 24 game with Luzardo opposing him, Fedde tossed 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, striking out 10.

MIAMI MARLINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 85 degrees, wind 8 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
CF Lane Thomas
SS Alcides Escobar
RF Juan Soto
LF Josh Bell
1B Ryan Zimmerman
3B Carter Kieboom
C Keibert Ruiz
2B Luis García
RHP Erick Fedde

MARLINS
SS Jazz Chisholm Jr.
LF Bryan De La Cruz
RF Jesuú Sánchez
CF Lewis Brinson
1B Lewin Díaz
C Alex Jackson
3B Isan Díaz
2B Eddy Alvarez
LHP Jesús Luzardo