Game 53 lineups: Nats at Braves

The Nationals have a chance this afternoon to take three of four from the Braves, and who saw that coming a few days ago? They've put themselves in position with a combination of power at the plate (four homers the last two nights), one gutsy start on short rest (Jon Lester) and a whole lot of innings out of their bullpen (11 innings the last two nights).

Now if they're going to take the series in this early start in Atlanta, they're going to need quality innings out of Patrick Corbin. At times this season, the lefty has been able to provide that. At other times, he's done anything but. Somehow, Corbin needs to locate his fastball against this tough Braves lineup and then get swings and misses off his slider. It's a tough assignment for him.

Which means the Nats may need to ask their lineup to continue to rake today against relatively unknown left-hander Tucker Davidson, who makes only his third career start. Manager Davey Martinez has a lineup of mostly right-handed bats, including Ryan Zimmerman (who returns after sitting out last night's game because, according to Martinez, he was "sore"). Kyle Schwarber, whose right knee "locked up" trying to make a diving catch in the field last night, is not in the lineup. So it's Josh Harrison in left field, with Jordy Mercer at second base.

And Alex Avila gets a rare start against a lefty. Ideally, Yan Gomes would be behind the plate for this one, but it was too much to ask the 33-year-old to catch four days in a row, especially with this quick turnaround to the series finale.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Truist Park
Gametime: 12:20 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Cloudy, 80 degrees, wind 6 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
LF Josh Harrison
RF Juan Soto
1B Ryan Zimmerman
3B Starlin Castro
CF Victor Robles
2B Jordy Mercer
C Alex Avila
LHP Patrick Corbin

BRAVES
RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
1B Freddie Freeman
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
SS Dansby Swanson
LF Ehire Adrianza
C William Contreras
CF Guillermo Heredia
LHP Tucker Davidson