Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The undefeated Nationals have looked good so far in the early stages of the exhibition season, especially a lineup that has scored 31 runs in three games. That group has done well in the first inning, scoring five runs against the Mets and three runs against the Marlins.

The challenge is quite a bit tougher this afternoon when the Nats face Astros ace Framber Valdez. The veteran left-hander will be on the mound for his first outing of the spring, facing a lineup featuring a few regulars.

Those regulars include CJ Abrams, Luis García Jr., Keibert Ruiz and Nathaniel Lowe at the top of the order. The bottom of the order includes a familiar name in an unfamiliar position: Juan Yepez in left field. Given the offseason additions of Lowe and Josh Bell, Yepez’s only real shot of making the team is to prove he can adequately play something other than first base. So he’ll get a shot this afternoon in the outfield. He’s also been taking some reps at third base during workouts.

DJ Herz makes his spring debut on the mound. The young lefty seemingly is competing with fellow young lefties Mitchell Parker and Shinnosuke Ogasawara for the No. 5 starter’s job, but it’s still too early in camp to see exactly how that will all play out. For now, the Nationals just want Herz to throw strikes and pitch with some consistency as he tries to prove he’s the right man for the job.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. HOUSTON ASTROS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Astros’ feed)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 73 degrees, wind 10 mph in from center field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
2B Luis García Jr.
C Keibert Ruiz
1B Nathaniel Lowe
DH Andrés Chaparro
3B José Tena
RF Stone Garrett
CF Robert Hassell III
LF Juan Yepez

LHP DJ Herz

ASTROS
CF Kenedy Corona
LF Cooper Hummel
DH Isaac Paredes
C Yainer Diaz
1B Jon Singleton
RF Zach Dezenzo
2B Brendan Rodgers
3B Shay Whitcomb
SS Zack Short

LHP Framber Valdez