Zimmerman, Escobar and Taylor won't start in key series finale

By Josh Land

Nationals

September 09, 2015, 11:52am

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The Nationals will attempt to avoid a costly sweep and keep their season afloat without first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, third baseman Yunel Escobar and center fielder Michael A. Taylor in tonight's starting lineup.

Zimmerman tweaked his left oblique during a swing on Monday and also continues to be bothered by soreness in his left foot. Clint Robinson, who was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored last night, will again start for Zimmerman at first base.

Taylor has been bothered by a sore right knee. Escobar is sidelined with a fever.

Stephen Strasburg returns to the hill for the first time since upper back tightness derailed his outing against the Marlins on Aug. 30.

Strasburg lasted just four innings in that start, failing to pitch into the fifth inning for the sixth time in 18 outings this year. Since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 8 after dealing with a left oblique strain, Strasburg is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA while striking out 35 and walking only three over five starts.

Strasburg is 1-1 with a 4.22 ERA in two starts against the Mets this season.

The Nationals will have to contend with Mets ace Jacob deGrom. The 27-year-old All-Star is 12-7 with a 2.40 ERA in 26 starts this season. deGrom is 1-2 with a 3.47 ERA in four starts against the Nats this season.

For the Mets:

RF Curtis Granderson
CF Yoenis Cespedes
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Lucas Duda
C Travis d'Arnaud
LF Michael Conforto
SS Wilmer Flores
RHP Jacob deGrom

For the Nats:

RF Jayson Werth
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
LF Matt den Decker
RHP Stephen Strasburg