Bryce Harper returns aiming for a batting title (with lineups)

Bryce Harper returns to the Nationals lineup a day after sitting out for disciplinary reasons resulting from his role in Sunday's dugout fight with Jonathan Papelbon. Lost in all the mess of the past few days is Harper's chance at National League batting title.

Harper's .336 batting average is tied with Detroit's Miguel Cabrera for highest in the majors. Miami's Dee Gordon enters play tonight trailing Harper by just four points in the NL.

After winning NL Player of the Week honors for hitting .519 with five homers and 10 RBIs from Sept. 14-20, Harper cooled off last week. The 22-year-old is 3-for-19 (.158) with no home runs over his last six games. His lone RBI came in Saturday's walk-off, a double in a 12-inning win over the Phillies.

Matt den Dekker looks to keep riding a scorching bat in his third straight start. den Dekker is 7-for-8 (.875) with two homers, three doubles, three RBIs and five runs scored over the past two days.

den Dekker, who has appeared in 50 games this year, has raised his season batting average 61 points since Saturday afternoon.

It's been a rough month on the mound for right-hander Tanner Roark. Since returning to the Nats rotation on Sept. 4, Roark is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA in four starts and opponents are hitting .342 off him.

Roark is 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA in 11 outings against the Braves, including six starts, in his career.

For the Nationals:

3B Anthony Rendon
2B Trea Turner
CF Bryce Harper
RF Jayson Werth
1B Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
LF Matt den Dekker
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Tanner Roark

For the Braves:

RF Nick Markakis
2B Daniel Castro
1B Freddie Freeman
C A.J. Pierzynski
LF Adonis Garcia
3B Hector Olivera
SS Andrelton Simmons
CF Michael Bourn
RHP Matt Wisler