Game 128 lineups: Nats at Mets

Friday night proved to be a fun, and arguably important, win for the Nationals, who got to see four inexperienced relievers thrive in a pressure situation and hang on to beat the Mets, 2-1. Tonight? Well, it might require a bit more offense to emerge victorious again.

That's because Sean Nolin takes the mound for his third start for the Nats, his second against the Mets. The journeyman left-hander hasn't exactly dazzled since his promotion from Triple-A. He gave up four runs on eight hits in only three innings in his Aug. 12 debut at Citi Field, and then Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee he was charged with three runs in four innings and needed a whopping 81 pitches just to get that far.

So the Nationals could use a bit more offensive might tonight, though they'll have to hope to get it against a tough opponent in Marcus Stroman. Stroman enters with a 2.85 ERA and 1.115 WHIP in 26 starts, and he held the Nats to one run over 5 1/3 innings two weeks ago.

Lane Thomas again is leading off and playing center field, bumping Victor Robles to the bench. It's clear manager Davey Martinez is going to give Thomas a real look the rest of the way. It's up to him to now seize it.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at NEW YORK METS
Where: Citi Field
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Cloudy, 73 degrees, wind 12 mph in from right field

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

METS
3B Jonathan Villar
CF Brandon Nimmo
SS Francisco Lindor
1B Pete Alonso
2B Javier Báez
LF Jeff McNeil
RF Kevin Pillar
C Patrick Mazeika
RHP Marcus Stroman