Game 114 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

August 12, 2016, 11:06am

Comments

It's now Day 6 of the Bryce Harper Stiff Neck Watch, and the end result is the same: He's not in the lineup. You've got to think the Nationals are reaching a critical point in this process. If they can't be certain Harper is on the verge of returning, they're going to have to consider the disabled list.

Tonight's series opener against the Braves features Stephen Strasburg on the mound, seeking his 16th victory. He'll be attempting to do that in some of the most extreme weather conditions he's faced since reaching the big leagues. As I type this, the heat index here is 109 degrees. It'll cool off a bit before gametime, but not that much. Strasburg (and everybody else in uniform) is in for a real challenge tonight.

Danny Espinosa also is getting a much-needed day off. Wilmer Difo will start at shortstop, with Trea Turner at second base. Brian Goodwin also makes his second straight start in right field ...

ATLANTA BRAVES vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, Ch. 9, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 183, MLB.com
Weather: Oppressively hot, 92 degrees, wind 9 mph out to center field

NATIONALS (67-46)
2B Trea Turner
LF Jayson Werth
1B Daniel Murphy
C Wilson Ramos
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Brian Goodwin
SS Wilmer Difo
CF Ben Revere
RHP Stephen Strasburg

BRAVES (43-72)
CF Ender Inciarte
SS Erick Aybar
1B Freddie Freeman
LF Matt Kemp
RF Nick Markakis
3B Adonis Garcia
2B Jace Peterson
C Anthony Recker
RHP Mike Foltynewicz