Game 123 lineups: Nats at Brewers

The Nationals' winning streak ended Saturday in Milwaukee, but they've still got a chance to win the weekend series if they can bounce back in this afternoon's finale. All things considered, that's not a bad position to be in.

They're going to need to get some quality innings out of Sean Nolin, who gets the start as Joe Ross' replacement for now. Nolin, the 31-year-old journeyman left-hander, made one other start for the Nats 10 days ago in New York and gave up four runs on eight hits in only three innings. Given the state of the bullpen, they could really use more length than that out of Nolin today.

That bullpen does have two new arms today, though: Austin Voth and Kyle McGowin. Voth has been activated off the COVID-19 injured list, having both cleared protocols and then built his arm back up during a rehab assignment. To clear a spot for Voth in the bullpen, Javy Guerra has been designated for assignment, a tough but understandable move after the 35-year-old posted a 16.50 ERA in six appearances, capped by Saturday's eighth-inning meltdown.

McGowin returns after missing six weeks with a strained right biceps muscle. To clear a spot for him, the club optioned outfielder Andrew Stevenson to Triple-A Rochester. Which helps explain a twist to today's lineup.

The Nats are facing a right-hander today in Adrian Houser, but Lane Thomas is leading off and playing center field. Thomas, who had only started against lefties so far, has earned the chance to get a look today, according to manager Davey Martinez, who also noted Victor Robles has been "under the weather" for a couple of days. No COVID-19 concerns with Robles, who cleared all protocols, according to Martinez. But they're still going to be cautious with him for now. And with Stevenson (who has seen his playing time diminish in recent weeks) now heading back to Rochester, that leaves Thomas as the only other center fielder on the active roster.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Where: American Family Field
Gametime: 2:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 74 degrees, wind 12 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS
CF Lane Thomas
SS Alcides Escobar
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
LF Yadiel Hernandez
3B Carter Kieboom
C Riley Adams
2B Luis García
LHP Sean Nolin

BREWERS
2B Kolton Wong
SS Willy Adames
LF Christian Yelich
RF Avisaíl García
1B Eduardo Escobar
3B Luis Urías
CF Lorenzo Cain
C Manny Piña
RHP Adrian Houser