Lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. - Spring training lineups don't always resemble regular season lineups. And today presents the perfect reminder of that.

Eric Thames is leading off for the Nationals against the Cardinals, with Kurt Suzuki batting second. Has Davey Martinez lost his mind? No. This is simply a way to get two veterans two quick at-bats and then let them head home. You won't be seeing this 1-2 combo at any point during the regular season.

We'll also see Howie Kendrick batting behind Juan Soto, a combo that very much worked last season and very much is an option again this season. And Carter Kieboom, after a day off, is back out there at third base this afternoon. As always, there will be plenty of eyes on him.

Aníbal Sánchez makes his spring debut on the mound, facing the team he nearly no-hit in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Well, not really. There are only a few Cardinals regulars playing today. And Sánchez will be limited to two innings or 30 pitches, no matter how well he's doing.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MLB.tv (Cardinals broadcast), MLB Network (delayed at 8 p.m.)
Radio: MLB.com (Cardinals broadcast)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 82 degrees, wind 16 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
1B Eric Thames
C Kurt Suzuki
LF Juan Soto
DH Howie Kendrick
3B Carter Kieboom
CF Michael A. Taylor
SS Wilmer Difo
RF Mac Williamson
2B Emilio Bonifacio

RHP Aníbal Sánchez

CARDINALS
2B Kolten Wong
RF Dylan Carlson
SS Paul DeJong
C Matt Wieters
CF Harrison Bader
DH Rangel Ravelo
3B Norman Gorman
LF Austin Dean
1B Evan Mendoza

LHP Austin Gomber