Game 124 lineups: Nats at Pirates (Dozier on paternity leave)

PITTSBURGH - It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood here alongside the Allegheny River, where the Nationals tonight open a four-game series against the floundering Pirates. They've done a very good job this summer of beating up on bad teams. Here's a golden opportunity to feast some more on a Pirates club that is a staggering 7-27 since the All-Star break, worst in the majors.

We'll see if the Nats lineup can keep it going after absolutely terrorizing the Brewers pitching staff over the weekend: 30 runs in two games, including eight homers in Sunday's blowout win. It's not necessarily Davey Martinez's best offensive lineup, with Yan Gomes catching instead of Kurt Suzuki. Asdrúbal Cabrera also is batting fifth and playing second base, with Brian Dozier finally going on paternity leave. Adrián Sanchez was recalled from Double-A Harrisburg to take Dozier's roster spot while he's away.

Joe Ross makes what could be a very important start. With Max Scherzer lined up to return from the injured list Thursday, either Ross or Erick Fedde is about to lose his rotation spot. Fedde wasn't great Sunday. If Ross, who has been excellent his last three starts, looks sharp tonight, he could make a real case to stay as the No. 5 starter.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Where: PNC Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 84 degrees, wind 6 mph out to center field

NATIONALS (67-56)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
2B Asdrúbal Cabrera
1B Matt Adams
CF Victor Robles
C Yan Gomes
RHP Joe Ross

PIRATES (51-72)
2B Adam Frazier
LF Bryan Reynolds
CF Starling Marte
1B Josh Bell
3B Colin Moran
RF Melky Cabrera
SS Kevin Newman
C Elias Díaz
RHP Trevor Williams