Game 103 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers

And now begins the toughest portion of the Nationals' schedule. They've been able to feast on some struggling teams (Marlins, Tigers, Royals, Orioles, Rockies) in recent weeks, but now the Nats have back-to-back series against the National League's top two teams to date this season: the Dodgers and Braves.

Next week's series vs. Atlanta means more in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn't mean the Nationals can gloss over this weekend set with the 30-games-over-.500 Dodgers, who have been by far the best team in the NL in 2019. And the Nats are getting L.A.'s best on the mound, beginning tonight with Cy Young Award contender Hyun-Jin Ryu. The South Korean lefty has been brilliant this season, surrendering two or fewer earned runs in 18 of his 19 starts. And he held the Nationals to one hit over eight innings at Dodger Stadium in May.

Davey Martinez will try his luck with Howie Kendrick in the No. 5 spot, hoping the veteran can put together several quality at-bats against the lefty. Otherwise, it's the usual crew, with Kurt Suzuki behind the plate to work with Aníbal Sánchez, as always. Sánchez looks to keep his turnaround going. Over his last nine starts, the veteran is 6-0 with a 2.75 ERA.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly clear, 84 degrees, wind 6 mph right field to left field

NATIONALS (55-47)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Howie Kendrick
C Kurt Suzuki
2B Brian Dozier
CF Victor Robles
RHP Aníbal Sánchez

DODGERS (67-37)
1B Joc Pederson
LF Alex Verdugo
3B Justin Turner
RF Cody Bellinger
2B Max Muncy
CF A.J. Pollock
SS Corey Seager
C Russell Martin
LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu