Johnson closing in on an opening day starting lineup (with Nats, Phillies lineups)

CLEARWATER, Fla. - After using up about half a tank of gas on the trek across Florida, I've arrived at Bright House Field for today's Nationals-Phillies Grapefruit League contest that will feature two of the game's best pitchers. Stephen Strasburg and Roy Halladay will toe the mound today, and while Strasburg will face a Phillies lineup filled with major leaguers, Halladay won't get that luxury. The Nationals brought just three position players who are expected to crack the opening day roster - Denard Span, Steve Lombardozzi and Tyler Moore. Other than that, Halladay will see a lot of unfamiliar faces today. Nats manager Davey Johnson said that Strasburg will throw about 60 pitches this afternoon. If he can get through four frames at around that limit, that'd be ideal. Johnson was asked during his pregame chat with reporters whether he'd settled on a batting order for the start of the regular season yet. While Johnson made sure to note that nothing has been finalized, it's clear it would be a major surprise if the Nats' opening day lineup didn't have Span leading off, Jayson Werth hitting second, Bryce Harper third, Ryan Zimmerman cleanup and Adam LaRoche in the five-hole. That's how Johnson structured his lineup yesterday, and he insinuated that barring a change, that's how things will probably look on opening day. Putting Werth in the two-spot and Harper third gives the Nationals a perfect left-right balance from 1-8 in the order, which Johnson really likes because of the match-up problems it creates for opposing teams. Johnson said he approached Zimmerman earlier this spring and told him he might hit him cleanup some this season. "He said he didn't care," Johnson said. "He said as long as Harper didn't drive all the runs in before he got up." Johnson passed along one other good one-liner from Zimmerman after Anthony Rendon's name was broached. Rendon, a natural third baseman, has been on fire this spring, hitting two home runs and three doubles in eight spring games. "Zim asked, 'Is there any other position he plays?' " Johnson said with a chuckle. A couple of other quick-hit notes: Micah Owings, who has been held out of action because of a left wrist injury recently, has been cleared to start playing again. Johnson told reporters he plans to give Owings a couple of at-bats today. Also, Johnson said he got good reports from Henry Rodriguez's live batting practice session yesterday. Rodriguez had elbow surgery last summer and has been slowed this spring by biceps tightness, but he threw all his pitches and now is set up to face one hitter on Saturday in his Grapefruit League debut. Here are your lineups for today's game: For the Nats CF Denard Span 2B Steve Lombardozzi SS Anthony Rendon DH Tyler Moore RF Corey Brown 1B Chris Marrero LF Carlos Rivero 3B Matt Skole C Jhonatan Solano P Stephen Strasburg For the Phillies CF Ben Revere 3B Michael Young 2B Chase Utley 1B Ryan Howard LF Domonic Brown DH Laynce Nix RF John Mayberry, Jr. C Tommy Joseph SS Yuniesky Betancourt P Roy Halladay