Game 38 lineups: Nats at Padres
SAN DIEGO - It was going to happen eventually. And given the circumstances, tonight made a lot of sense for Bryce Harper to get his first day of the season off.
Manager Davey Martinez made the decision to rest Harper, who is on an 0-for-19 slump and now batting only .230 (albeit with a .410 on-base percentage and .951 OPS). With left-hander Joey Lucchesi on the mound for the Padres, this series already captured and a four-game series on tap this weekend against the very good Diamondbacks, this certainly seems like an opportune time to let Harper watch from the bench.
Martinez also is sitting Matt Adams, despite the big slugger's overwhelming numbers so far this month. Adams could certainly use a breather, as well, and again it makes sense against a lefty.
So the Nationals lineup has a new look, with Michael A. Taylor at the top. Taylor hit leadoff 31 times in 2015 and 31 times in 2016, but only twice last season. Given his recent struggles, Martinez might figure Taylor is more likely to see fastballs batting in the No. 1 position, ahead of Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at SAN DIEGO PADRES
Where: Petco Park
Gametime: 9:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 65 degrees, wind 7 mph out to right field
NATIONALS
CF Michael A. Taylor
SS Trea Turner
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Howie Kendrick
C Matt Wieters
RF Moisés Sierra
2B Wilmer Difo
LHP Gio Gonzalez
PADRES
RF Matt Szczur
1B Eric Hosmer
3B Christian Villanueva
2B Jose Pirela
LF Franchy Cordero
SS Freddy Galvis
C A.J. Ellis
CF Manuel Margot
LHP Joey Lucchesi
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