Game 1 lineups: Nats at Reds

CINCINNATI - They're playing a ballgame here today. No, really. They are. Pay no attention to the tarp that has been on the field at Great American Ball Park, or the rain that started falling yesterday and hasn't stopped since. It's going to clear up in time for first pitch at 4:10 p.m. That's what everyone insists, so we have no choice but to believe them.

The Nationals face the Reds on opening day for the first time, and so maybe it's appropriate that there's a first in today's lineup: Trea Turner is batting sixth. Yes, sixth. Davey Martinez hinted at this possibility during the final days of spring training, and if you want to read his rationale for it, here's my blog post from Sunday.

One reason Turner is batting down in the order is that Martinez wants Anthony Rendon up in the order. So he's batting second today, right behind Adam Eaton and right in front of Bryce Harper. Surely this development will please many of you who begged for Rendon to bat second more often last year. Also, Ryan Zimmerman is alive and well and batting cleanup after his spring on the back fields. So there you go.

Max Scherzer, meanwhile, takes the mound for his third career opening day start. He took the loss in 2015 to the Mets, but didn't give up an earned run. He then had a no-decision against the Braves in 2016, giving up two runs in seven innings (both solo homers).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CINCINNATI REDS
Where: Great American Ball Park
Gametime: 4:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Cloudy, 51 degrees, wind 7 mph out to center field

NATIONALS
LF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Howie Kendrick
SS Trea Turner
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Matt Wieters
RHP Max Scherzer

REDS
LF Jesse Winker
3B Eugenio Suárez
1B Joey Votto
2B Scooter Gennett
RF Scott Schebler
C Tucker Barnhart
SS José Peraza
RHP Homer Bailey
CF Billy Hamilton