CHICAGO - Davey Johnson is again loading up his lineup with right-handed hitters against a left-handed starter, leaving Adam LaRoche and Denard Span on the bench in favor of Tyler Moore and Scott Hairston.
Moore will play first base and bat sixth, while Hairston will play left field and bat eighth.
Bryce Harper will slide over and play center field tonight and hit leadoff as the Nats face Cubs left-hander Chris Rusin.
Rusin has a 3.06 ERA in six starts this season, and he's surrendered just two earned runs over his last two starts, spanning 12 innings. Those starts came against the Reds and Cardinals, two offensively capable squads.
Dan Haren will go for the Nats, looking to continue his recent hot streak. The veteran right-hander has a 2.30 ERA since July 1, far and away the best among Nationals starters.
For the Nats
CF Bryce Harper
SS Ian Desmond
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Jayson Werth
C Wilson Ramos
1B Tyler Moore
2B Anthony Rendon
LF Scott Hairston
RHP Dan Haren
For the Cubs
CF Junior Lake
2B Darwin Barney
1B Anthony Rizzo
RF Nate Schierholtz
3B Donnie Murphy
LF Brian Bogusevic
C Welington Castillo
SS Starlin Castro
LHP Chris Rusin
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