Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday he was going to start the youngsters in Sunday's series finale against the Phillies so his regulars can have two full days off before the Braves arrive Tuesday night.
And with a win and a Marlins loss today, the Nationals will lock up their second consecutive National League East crown, and fourth in six seasons.
Monday is a scheduled day off. The only regular starter in the lineup is Trea Turner. The big deal is that top prospect Victor Robles makes his first major league start in center field, batting fifth.
Wilmer Difo and Rafael Bautista, also starting today, were on the initial high Single-A Potomac 2015 roster. Robles was on the 2016 low Single-A Hagerstown Suns opening day roster.
Right-hander Stephen Strasburg (12-4, 2.78 ERA) gets the start for the Nats. He has allowed only two earned runs in his last five starts and six total earned runs since July 3.
Right-handed rookie Ben Lively (3-5, 3.92) gets the call for the Phillies. Lively is 2-2 with 2.73 ERA in four career starts in the National League East this season.
The Nats lead the season series with the Phillies 9-6 and are 6-3 in D.C. They face off one more time this season, Sept. 25-27 in Citizens Bank Park.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, XM 186/869, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 71 degrees, wind 9 mph out toward left center field
NATIONALS (87-55)
SS Trea Turner
3B Adrián Sanchez
2B Wilmer Difo
1B Adam Lind
CF Victor Robles
LF Andrew Stevenson
C Pedro Severino
RF Rafael Bautista
RHP Stephen Strasburg
PHILLIES (54-88)
2B César Hernández
SS Freddy Glavis
RF Nick Williams
LF Rhys Hoskins
1B Maikel Franco
CF Aaron Altherr
C Jorge Alfaro
3B J.P. Crawford
RHP Ben Lively
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