Game 117 lineups: Nats at Cubs (Rendon scratched)

CHICAGO - Another day, another opportunity for the Nationals to change the script of a season that has pretty much followed one path. And not the path this team wanted to follow.

After their latest agonizing loss, the Nats will try to reverse the trend this afternoon at Wrigley Field and take the second game of this weekend series. They'll be hoping Tanner Roark can continue his recent reversal of trends - 3-0, 0.82 ERA his last three starts - and do his part to help beat the Cubs. It's probably safe to assume the Wilmington, Ill., native will have plenty of supporters in the stands today.

The Nationals also will need more consistent offensive performance against Jon Lester. The big-name lefty had a brilliant first half but has struggled since the All-Star break (0-2, 8.53 ERA in four starts). Very few members of the Nats lineup have enjoyed facing Lester over the years, with Matt Wieters (16-for-54) and Adam Eaton (5-for-15) the most successful of the bunch.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CHICAGO CUBS
Where: Wrigley Field
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, FS1, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 83 degrees, wind 7 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
RF Adam Eaton
SS Trea Turner
CF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Juan Soto
3B Mark Reynolds
2B Daniel Murphy
C Matt Wieters
RHP Tanner Roark

CUBS
1B Anthony Rizzo
2B Javy Baez
RF Jason Heyward
3B David Bote
C Willson Contreras
LF Kyle Schwarber
SS Addison Russell
LHP Jon Lester
CF Albert Almora Jr.

Update: Anthony Rendon has been scratched from today's lineup. Rendon took a pitch off his hand in yesterday's game. Mark Reynolds will start at third for the Nats.