Game 99 lineups: Nats vs. Padres

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

July 24, 2016, 6:45am

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It's another scorcher in the nation's capital, and today the Nationals and Padres will be playing smack dab in the middle of the afternoon with the sun beating down on them. That's going to be quite the test for Lucas Giolito, who makes his return to the big leagues after a very brief (two starts) demotion to the minors.

The Nationals are hoping Giolito displays some better command of his off-speed pitches today against the Padres, which would help make his fastball more effective. That'll be something to keep an eye on from the outset when he takes the mound at 1:35 p.m.

Bryce Harper, meanwhile, is getting a rare day off against San Diego's left-handed starter, Christian Friedrich. The reigning National League MVP clearly hasn't looked like himself lately, so perhaps a day watching from the bench can do him some good.

SAN DIEGO PADRES vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, Ch. 9, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 185, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 95 degrees, wind 5 mph right field to left field

NATIONALS (58-40)
2B Trea Turner
LF Jayson Werth
1B Daniel Murphy
C Wilson Ramos
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Chris Heisey
CF Michael A. Taylor
SS Danny Espinosa
RHP Lucas Giolito

PADRES (42-56)
CF Travis Jankowski
1B Wil Myers
RF Matt Kemp
3B Yangervis Solarte
LF Alex Dickerson
2B Ryan Schimpf
SS Alexei Ramirez
C Derek Norris
LHP Christian Friedrich