Game 43 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

The Nationals haven't won back-to-back games since April 17-18. Today, of course, is May 16. That's a long time to go without winning consecutive games. That's also the last time the Nats won a series (against the Giants). That's a long time to go without winning two of three.

Suffice it to say, the Nationals would love to snap both of those streaks this afternoon. If they can beat the Mets, they'll have won back-to-back games and captured the series.

In order to do that, they'll need Aníbal Sánchez to give them a chance. Sánchez enters today's start 0-6 with a 5.27 ERA in eight outings. (The Nats did win those other two starts when he didn't record a decision.) The last time a Nationals starter opened a season 0-7? That would be Jason Marquis in 2010, speaking of streaks they'd like to snap.

The lineup will get to take some hacks against a starter it has had plenty of success against in the past: Zack Wheeler. The Nationals already have beaten Wheeler twice this season, scoring a total of 11 runs in 9 2/3 innings. One interesting twist to today's batting order: Howie Kendrick is playing second base instead of Brian Dozier. That opens up first base for Gerardo Parra. And with Kurt Suzuki catching and batting seventh, this is arguably the deepest lineup the Nats have fielded in several weeks.

NEW YORK METS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 74 degrees, wind 11 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS (17-25)
RF Adam Eaton
CF Victor Robles
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
2B Howie Kendrick
1B Gerardo Parra
C Kurt Suzuki
SS Wilmer Difo
RHP Aníbal Sánchez

METS (20-21)
LF Jeff McNeil
1B Dominic Smith
2B Robinson Canó
RF Michael Conforto
3B J.D. Davis
CF Brandon Nimmo
SS Amed Rosario
C Tomás Nido
RHP Zack Wheeler