Bryce Harper chasing batting title, home run crown in finale (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

October 04, 2015, 9:25am

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FLUSHING, N.Y. - Bryce Harper takes a shot at a National League batting title and home run crown in this afternoon's season finale at Citi Field.

Miami's Dee Gordon and Harper share the batting lead with a .331 average. The Mets throw All-Star right-hander Jacob deGrom against Harper and the Nationals, while Gordon faces Phillies right-hander David Buchanan, who brings a 7.54 ERA in 14 starts into today's game.

Harper is also evened up with Colorado's Nolan Arenado at 42 homers. Colorado plays in San Francisco with the Giants starting veteran right-hander Matt Cain.

Harper also needs just one RBI to reach 100 for the season for the first time in his career. It's something that Harper has repeatedly mentioned is important having never accomplished the feat at any level in his life.

Harper has experienced success against deGrom in his career, hitting .438 (7-for-16) with a homer, two doubles and one RBI.

A good day at the plate could allow Harper's impressive slash line to lead the NL. His .462 on-base percentage is three points ahead of Cincinnati's Joey Votto while the 22-year-old holds a decided advantage with a .650 slugging percentage.

For the Nationals:

3B Anthony Rendon
2B Trea Turner
RF Bryce Harper
LF Jayson Werth
1B Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Pedro Severino
RHP Tanner Roark

For the Mets:

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