Bryce Harper set to tussle with Jose Fernandez (Escobar scratched with bug)

Bryce Harper looks today to rebound from a tough Friday night at the plate. The 22-year-old slugger went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and a walk in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Marlins. Otherwise, Harper has torched Miami this season, slashing .310/.423/.762 with six homers, 13 RBIs and nine runs scored.

"Bryce has had a fantastic year for us," Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters. "He had a couple opportunities (last night) and it didn't happen for him. But we'll try to give him those opportunities every day. That's for sure."

Harper will have to contend with Marlins right-hander Jose Fernandez tonight. Fernandez is making his first start since Aug. 7 after landing on the 15-day disabled list with a biceps strain in his throwing arm.

Fernandez, who returned from Tommy John surgery on July 2, is 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA in seven starts this year. The 23-year-old has never lost a game at Marlins Park, going 15-0 with a 1.14 ERA in 24 career starts.

Harper is 1-for-6 with three walks and three strikeouts in his career against Fernandez.

The Nationals send Tanner Roark to the mound for his second start since rejoining the rotation. Roark allowed one run on five hits with three walks over 4 1/3 innings in the Nats' 5-2 win over the Braves on Sept. 4.

Roark only threw 69 pitches in that outing, as he was still stretching out from having spent most of the season in the bullpen. Williams indicated that Roark should be able to increase his workload to 90-plus pitches this evening.

Ryan Zimmerman won't start for the fourth straight game as he continues to battle left oblique soreness.

For the Nationals:

LF Jayson Werth
2B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
3B Yunel Escobar
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
CF Michael A. Taylor
1B Tyler Moore
RHP Tanner Roark

For the Marlins:

2B Dee Gordon
CF Christian Yelich
3B Martin Prado
1B Justin Bour
LF Derek Dietrich
C J.T. Realmuto
RF Ichiro Suzuki
SS Miguel Rojas
RHP Jose Fernandez

Update: The Nats have scratched Escobar with a stomach bug. Here is the revised lineup:

3B Anthony Rendon
2B Danny Espinosa
RF Bryce Harper
LF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
CF Michael A. Taylor
1B Tyler Moore
RHP Tanner Roark