Game 12 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

What a different 48 hours makes. When this series began, the Nationals were reeling from a five-game losing streak, with questions about the big picture starting to percolate. Now, thanks to back-to-back dominant performances from Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, they're seeking a series sweep of the Braves and a whole new outlook on life.

In order to pull that off, though, they'll need a far better performance from A.J. Cole this afternoon than they got last week in Atlanta, when he was tagged for 10 runs in 3 2/3 innings. The leash on Cole has to be awfully short at this point, with Jeremy Hellickson waiting in the wings down in Florida and nearly ready to go.

The lineup, as expected, doesn't include Adam Eaton (bone bruise in his ankle). Ryan Zimmerman also gets the day game off, the fourth straight time he's sat for a series finale after playing the first two games. So Brian Goodwin leads off in left field, with Matt Adams at first base batting fifth. Pedro Severino, meanwhile, gets his third straight start behind the plate, quick turnaround or not.

Update: The Nationals have activated catcher Matt Wieters from the 10-day disabled list, placed Eaton on the 10-day DL and selected the contract of outfielder Moisés Sierra from Triple-A Syracuse. Catcher Miguel Montero has been designated for assignment. More on the roster moves to come ...

ATLANTA BRAVES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Cloudy, 53 degrees, wind 10 mph out to center field

NATIONALS
LF Brian Goodwin
SS Trea Turner
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Matt Adams
2B Howie Kendrick
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Pedro Severino
RHP A.J. Cole

BRAVES
CF Ender Inciarte
2B Ozzie Albies
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Nick Markakis
C Kurt Suzuki
LF PReston Tucker
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Charlie Culberson
RHP Brandon McCarthy