Game 27 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

The Nationals need to score runs. Early in games. Too often they've found themselves trailing early and it's cost them. Their record this season when they score first: 10-2. When they don't: 2-12. There are all kinds of factors we can discuss when trying to decide why they're 12-14 overall, but that stat right there pretty tells the entire story.

So it's incumbent upon today's lineup to do something early on against Drew Smyly. The good news: They did score early off Smyly back on opening day at Nationals Park. Trea Turner homered off him. Jonathan Lucroy (obviously no longer here) doubled off him. Who from today's starting nine can produce?

Jon Lester, meanwhile, makes his second start of the season, hoping to build off his strong season debut last weekend against the Marlins. The lefty is facing a more formidable lineup this time, though the Braves don't have Freddie Freeman today. Freeman has been mired in a surprising slump, by his lofty standards, so he gets the day off against Lester.

If you haven't already heard, today's game is only available on YouTube. Click on the link below to take you directly to the free broadcast, no blackout restrictions. Scott Braun is doing play-by-play, with Mark DeRosa and F.P. Santangelo handling analysis.

ATLANTA BRAVES vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: YouTube.com/MLB, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 64 degrees, wind 8 mph in from left field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
RF Yadiel Hernandez
2B Josh Harrison
3B Starlin Castro
1B Josh Bell
C Yan Gomes
LF Kyle Schwarber
CF Victor Robles
LHP Jon Lester

BRAVES
RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2B Ozzie Albies
LF Marcell Ozuna
1B Austin Riley
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Ehire Adrianza
CF Cristian Pache
C Jeff Mathis
LHP Drew Smyly