Game 28 lineups: Nats vs. Diamondbacks

It's been said on several occasions already this young season, but the Nationals really need a win today. They've already lost the first two games of this series to a very good Diamondbacks club, each by one run, and they simply can't afford another loss in today's finale at suddenly chilly and windy Nationals Park.

Gio Gonzalez takes the mound for this one, on the heels of a start in San Francisco in which he was critical of manager Davey Martinez for pulling him after a leadoff walk in the sixth inning. After the bullpen was used up during Saturday's 10-inning loss, Martinez may have no choice but to give Gonzalez more rope today. The lefty would be wise to take advantage of that and not pile up his pitch count early or otherwise give his manager reason to want to pull the plug on him.

The Nats are going up against a former prospect of theirs, Robbie Ray, who has blossomed into an All-Star but has labored so far this season. Anthony Rendon is eligible to come off the disabled list today, but he's not in the lineup that has been posted by the club, so for now he's not going to be helping the cause against the tough Arizona lefty.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 55 degrees, wind 20 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
1B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Bryce Harper
2B Howie Kendrick
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Matt Wieters
LF Moisés Sierra
3B Wilmer Difo
LHP Gio Gonzalez

DIAMONDBACKS
LF David Peralta
SS Nick Ahmed
1B Paul Goldschmidt
CF A.J. Pollock
RF Chris Owings
2B Ketel Marte
3B Deven Marrero
C John Ryan Murphy
LHP Robbie Ray