Scherzer, Tanaka headline marquee pitching matchup (Span late scratch)

By Josh Land

Nationals

June 09, 2015, 1:04pm

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Denard Span is set to lead off and play center field for the Nationals tonight, two days after he was forced to leave Sunday's loss due to back spasms. Like many in the Nats lineup, Span has also been slumping lately. He is just 3-for-24 (.125) over his last six games.

Yunel Escobar runs bases white.jpg Yunel Escobar is the designated hitter for the interleague game at Yankee Stadium. That allows Anthony Rendon to start at third base and Danny Espinosa to play second. Over his last four games, Espinosa is 4-for-8 (.500) with one homer, two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored. Espinosa's seven home runs lead all National League second baseman.

Tonight's matchup features two of the game's best right-handers. Max Scherzer's 1.85 is third best in the National League and he leads all Nats pitchers with six wins. He is 4-2 with a 3.79 ERA in six career starts against the Yankees.

The Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound. The 26-year-old is 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in five starts this season. This will be Tanaka's second outing since returning from the 15-day disabled list last week after dealing with a right forearm strain.

Update: Span has been scratched from the lineup. Michael A. Taylor will start in center field. Escobar will lead off for the Nats.

For the Nationals:

DH Yunel Escobar
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Clint Robinson
C Wilson Ramos
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Michael A. Taylor

RHP Max Scherzer

For the Yankees:

CF Brett Gardner
3B Chase Headley
DH Alex Rodriguez
1B Mark Teixeira
C Brian McCann
RF Carlos Beltran
SS Didi Gregorious
2B Stephen Drew
LF Ramon Flores

RHP Masahiro Tanaka