Game 103 lineups: Nats vs. Cubs (plus roster moves)

By Bobby Blanco

Nationals

July 30, 2021, 2:08pm

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Hey, don't forget: There's still a baseball game to be played tonight!

After the Nationals made six franchise-altering trades over the last 24 hours that netted them 12 new prospects for eight veterans, manager Davey Martinez's new-look team now has to turn its attention to a three-game series against the Cubs, who will also have a new-look roster.

Originally, it appeared that Jon Lester was tonight's scheduled starter, but since he was traded to the Cardinals at the last minute, Paolo Espino will take the mound instead.

With the departure of Lester and Max Scherzer at the trade deadline, Espino's role on Martinez's squad changes from "secret weapon" to regular starter, for the time being. He brings a 3-1 record and 3.21 ERA to his second appearance against the Cubs this season. The right-hander gave up a run and two hits with a strikeout in Chicago back in May.

The Nationals also needed to make additional moves to fill out some roster spots. They selected the contracts of right-hander Gabe Klobosits and infielder AdriÃ¡n Sanchez, and recalled catcher Tres Barrera from Triple-A Rochester.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. CHICAGO CUBS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 86 degrees, wind 10 mph in from left field

NATIONALS
CF Andrew Stevenson
SS Alcides Escobar
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
2B Luis GarcÃa
C Tres Barrera
LF Gerardo Parra
3B Carter Kieboom
RHP Paolo Espino

CUBS
CF Rafael Ortega
C Wilson Contreras
LF Ian Happ
1B Patrick Wisdom
2B David Bote
RF Jayson Heyward
3B Matt Duffy
SS Sergio AlcÃ¡ntara
RHP Jake Arrieta