Game 131 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

August 31, 2021, 11:56am

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There isn't nearly as much anticipation for tonight's game as there was Monday night, when Keibert Ruiz made his Nationals debut with Josiah Gray on the mound. But that doesn't mean tonight's game isn't significant. Ruiz, remember, is an everyday player. At a premium position, where he'll have an impact on the outcome of every game.

So in some ways it may be more interesting to see how the 23-year-old catcher handles tonight's contest, both at the plate against Phillies left-hander Matt Moore and behind the plate working with Patrick Corbin for the first time. Corbin could certainly use a breath of fresh air at this point in a dismal season. The next homer he surrenders will be his 32nd of the year, and that will establish a new club record. You just know Ruiz would rather not have his name attached to that, if at all possible.

The Nationals were still waiting this afternoon to see how Alcides Escobar was doing after fouling a ball off his left knee Monday night before putting out a lineup, but manager Davey Martinez said he was feeling better.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Chance of storms, 77 degrees, wind 6 mph in from center field

NATIONALS
CF Lane Thomas
3B Carter Kieboom
RF Juan Soto
LF Josh Bell
1B Ryan Zimmerman
C Keibert Ruiz
2B AdriÃ¡n Sanchez
SS Luis GarcÃa
LHP Patrick Corbin

PHILLIES
SS Freddy Galvis
2B Jean Segura
RF Bryce Harper
LF Andrew McCutchen
CF Jorge Bonifacio
3B Ronald Torreyes
1B Matt Vierling
C Rafael Marchan
LHP Matt Moore