Game 106 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

The debut of a promising young pitcher is always exciting. Perhaps the circumstances that preceded Josiah Gray's debut tonight at Nationals Park weren't cause for celebration, but now that it's happened it's worth embracing.

This isn't Gray's major league debut; he pitched twice for the Dodgers in the last few weeks. But there's an entirely different kind of hype and pressure for this start than either of those. He's not just a prospect who was called up. He's now one of the prospects the Nationals actively acquired as part of a deal for two of the best players in the sport.

What to expect: Gray, who stands only 6-foot-1, throws in the mid-90s. He uses both a curveball and a slider, along with an occasional changeup. He's only 23, but the reports are that he's quite poised when he's on the mound. The Nats aren't saying there are any restrictions on him, but I'd be surprised if they let him go more than five innings or perhaps 80-90 pitches.

The Phillies, meanwhile, are starting Ranger Suárez, who has been their best late-inning reliever all season. They're now apparently stretching him out to start the rest of the year, a sign of their desperation as they try to stay in the National League East race.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, ESPN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 79 degrees, wind 7 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
CF Victor Robles
2B Adrián Sanchez
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
LF Yadiel Hernandez
3B Carter Kieboom
SS Luis García
C Tres Barrera
RHP Josiah Gray

PHILLIES
CF Travis Jankowksi
2B Jean Segura
RF Bryce Harper
C J.T. Realmuto
1B Brad Miller
3B Alec Bohm
SS Didi Gregorius
LF Odúbel Herrera
LHP Ranger Suárez