Game 69 lineups: Nats vs. Mets (Parra called up)

If, one week ago, you were told the Nationals today would have a chance to take three of four from the Mets and seven of eight overall, how ecstatic would you have been? Presumably, very ecstatic. Given all that has happened with this team, you couldn't really ask for a better scenario entering today's series finale at Nationals Park.

In order to take full advantage of this opportunity, the Nationals need Patrick Corbin to pick up where he left off Tuesday night, when he held the Pirates to one run over 8 1/3 sparkling innings. This is his second start against the Mets this season, and the first one didn't go so well (four runs, seven hits in four innings, homers by Pete Alonso and J.D. Davis).

The Nats lineup will be going up against the best of the four starters New York has had on the mound this weekend in Taijuan Walker, who enters with a 2.12 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 12 starts. The right-hander started that same April 25 game Corbin did at Citi Field and shut out the Nationals over seven innings.

Today's lineup features the usual suspects, but the bench includes an old friend who has returned: Gerardo Parra. Yes, the Baby Shark is back in D.C., officially called up from Triple-A Rochester today (as Davey Martinez hinted might happen Saturday). Luis García was optioned back to Rochester, and Ben Braymer was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Parra.

NEW YORK METS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 88 degrees, wind 10 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
LF Kyle Schwarber
SS Trea Turner
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
C Yan Gomes
2B Josh Harrison
3B Starlin Castro
CF Victor Robles
LHP Patrick Corbin

METS
3B José Peraza
SS Francisco Lindor
C James McCann
1B Pete Alonso
RF Kevin Pillar
LF Brandon Drury
CF Albert Almora Jr.
2B Luis Guillorme
RHP Taijuan Walker