Game 24 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers (Senzel scratched)

The Nationals need a win today to avoid a series sweep, a dilemma they’ve faced only once previously this season (against the Phillies). All things considered, it’s a sign of progress that they’ve mostly found themselves in a position to win series, and often have. But avoiding the sweep today against the Dodgers would be nice, especially with the pitcher they’re sending to the mound.

MacKenzie Gore vs. the L.A. lineup is a marquee matchup. If nothing else, it’s a real good challenge for the young left-hander, who was great two starts ago in Oakland but struggled last time out against the Astros. Knowing the competitor he is, Gore should be plenty motivated to get himself back on track this afternoon.

The Nationals face a brand-new face in Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the other Japanese sensation on their roster who merely signed the biggest contract ever given a major league pitcher before ever throwing a pitch in the major leagues. The 25-year-old right-hander (12 years, $325 million) has been great at times, not so much at others through the first five starts of his career. He features mostly a three-pitch (fastball, curveball, splitter) with an occasional cutter thrown in there for good measure.

The Nats have Keibert Ruiz back on the roster and in the lineup. After two rehab games with Double-A Harrisburg, Ruiz has been activated off the 10-day injured list and will be behind the plate this afternoon. Drew Millas was optioned back to Triple-A Rochester.

Most notable quirk of today’s lineup: Trey Lipscomb is not starting, something you wouldn’t think we’ll see much now that he’s back in the big leagues. It’s Joey Meneses at first base, with Jesse Winker serving as DH and Eddie Rosario in left field for the series finale.

UPDATE: Nick Senzel has been scratched from the Nationals' lineup with a stomach illness, according to the team. Ildemaro Vargas will now start at third base and bat eighth in his place.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 88.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 61 degrees, wind 7 mph in from center field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
DH Jesse Winker
1B Joey Meneses
2B Luis García Jr.
C Keibert Ruiz
RF Joey Gallo
LF Eddie Rosario
3B Nick Senzel Ildemaro Vargas
CF Jacob Young

LHP MacKenzie Gore

DODGERS
2B Mookie Betts
DH Shohei Ohtani
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Teoscar Hernández
3B Kiké Hernández
CF Andy Pages
LF Chris Taylor
SS Miguel Rojas
C Austin Barnes

RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto