Game 46 lineups: Nats vs. Cubs

Even with losing the series opener to the Cubs, the Nationals have once again put themselves in position to win a series. Early in the week against the Mets, the Nats lost the lidlifter, then roared back for two wins in a row. On Friday, they lost to Chicago to begin the series, but won 5-2 on Saturday.

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg had a calming influence on the Nats pitching staff with one of his best starts of the season: eight innings, allowing four hits, two runs (one earned) with no walks and seven strikeouts. Strasburg has now struck out seven or more batters in nine of his 10 starts this season.

It was the 14th time in his career he had worked eight or more innings while allowing one earned run or less. He also accomplished this feat April 21 at Miami this season.

Strasburg went back to the basics Saturday, featuring his fastball against the Cubs power-hitting lineup. Then he mixed in his changeup and curveball as the game went on.

"A little bit of both," Strasburg said of the mix. "It's important to kind of use everything. If they want to be aggressive, great. You kind of just got to continue with the execution and using your defense."

Yan Gomes was called for two passed balls in the fifth inning, but the Nats defense prevented a big inning, allowing only one run. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Strasburg got crossed up on one and Gomes did on the other.

"It happens," Strasburg said. "I know that we got a lot of veteran guys in our rotation, so the more you play, the more complex your signs get. It's hard to differentiate one from the other sometimes. It's all good. We got on the same page. No harm, no foul."

Martinez said the Nats did not get greedy for the complete game after eight innings because Strasburg was already at 93 pitches.

"He is what, three starts in a row over 100 pitches?" Martinez said. "We got to make sure we take care of these guys. Longevity. It's a perfect spot for (Sean) Doolittle."

Tonight, the Nats hope for at least six innings from right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2-2, 6.00 ERA). The Cubs counter with right-hander Kyle Hendricks (3-4, 2.86 ERA).

Probable pitchers have been announced for the Mets series at Citi Field running Monday through Thursday:

Monday: LHP Patrick Corbin vs. TBA
Tuesday: RHP Erick Fedde vs. RHP Zack Wheeler
Wednesday: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Jacob deGrom
Thursday: Strasburg vs. LHP Steven Matz.

CHICAGO CUBS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:08 p.m. EDT
TV: ESPN
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 81 degrees, 15 percent chance of precipitation, wind 11 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS (19-26)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
C Kurt Suzuki
1B Gerardo Parra
2B Brian Dozier
RHP Jeremy Hellickson
CF Victor Robles

CUBS (25-16)
LF Kyle Schwarber
3B Kris Bryant
1B Anthony Rizzo
SS Javier Báez
C Willson Contreras
2B Daniel Descalso
RF Jason Heyward
CF Albert Almora Jr.
RHP Kyle Hendricks