Game 81 lineups: Nats at Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Obviously, there’s already big news about what’s coming Monday when the Nationals return home. But before James Woodapalooza, there’s a three-game series to be played this weekend at Tropicana Field, where there’s no fear of any rain delays (thank god).

The Nats need to get themselves back on track after a brutal series in San Diego. Most importantly, they need to get their pitching back on track. That group has surrendered 6.3 runs per game on this road trip after allowing only 3.8 over the previous 26 games. So the spotlight tonight is on Mitchell Parker, who struggled in Colorado but actually finished quite strong with five straight strikeouts.

At the plate, the Nationals actually have been productive on the trip, scoring an average of 6.3 runs per game after averaging just 3.8 runs the previous 34 games. Some of that, though, has come too late, as was the case Wednesday in San Diego, when they were one-hit until a five-run top of the ninth that came too little too late. They’ll go up against veteran right-hander Zach Eflin, the former Phillie who has a 4.20 ERA this season but has issued a remarkable six walks in 81 1/3 innings.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at TAMPA BAY RAYS
Where: Tropicana Field
Gametime: 6:50 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 88.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Indoors

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
LF Jesse Winker
1B Joey Meneses
2B Luis García Jr.
C Keibert Ruiz
DH Eddie Rosario
3B Nick Senzel
CF Jacob Young

LHP Mitchell Parker

RAYS
1B Yandy Díaz
LF Randy Arozarena
DH Amed Rosario
3B Isaac Paredes
CF Jose Siri
RF Jonny DeLuca
2B José Caballero
SS Taylor Walls
C Alex Jackson

RHP Zach Eflin