Game 76 lineups: Nats vs. Cubs

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

June 26, 2017, 11:02am

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There is a distinct big-game vibe here at Nationals Park, with the Cubs in town for the first of a four-game series that promises to bring big crowds, plenty of media and (hopefully) some compelling baseball to South Capitol Street.

The opener sees Gio Gonzalez on the mound for the Nationals, looking to continue his resurgent first half and improve to 8-1. The left-hander has been brilliant at pitching his way out of jams all season, highlighted by his .107 opponents' batting average with runners in scoring position. Can he keep that up against a Cubs lineup that despite its struggles at the moment still features plenty of potent bats?

The Nationals lineup, of course, has been awfully potent itself throughout the season. That group tonight will be facing an unfamiliar foe tonight in Eddie Butler, the 26-year-old right-hander who hails from Chesapeake, Va., and spent the last three years pitching for the Rockies.

CHICAGO CUBS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB Network (outside D.C. market), MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, XM 183/869, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 79 degrees, wind 8 mph out to left field

NATIONALS (45-30)
SS Trea Turner
LF Brian Goodwin
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Anthony Rendon
C Matt Wieters
CF Michael A. Taylor
LHP Gio Gonzalez

CUBS (38-37)
C Willson Contreras
1B Anthony Rizzo
LF Kris Bryant
2B Ian Happ
SS Javy BÃ¡ez
3B Jaimer Candelario
CF Albert Almora Jr.
RHP Eddie Butler
RF Mark Zaginus