Game 147 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies

There are only 16 games left in the Nationals' season, which means Josiah Gray probably only has four starts remaining, starting with tonight's series opener against the Rockies.

Gray started his career in D.C. strong, pitching to a 2.89 ERA over his first five starts. But he has since struggled with an ERA of 12.75 over his last three outings. If the right-hander wants to finish strong and give the organization confidence in him going into next year, he's going to have to limit the walks and home runs. He has issued 10 free passes (including a career-high six in his last start) over those last three outings and has surrendered at least one home run in every major league outing of his young career.

He'll have a good opportunity to improve on both of those fronts against a Rockies lineup that doesn't particularly excel in either category. If he's able to do so, Gray could find himself in line for his first major league win.

Germán Márquez brings his 12-10 record and 3.93 ERA to the hill tonight for the Rockies. He's 2-1 with a 6.50 ERA in three career starts against the Nationals and won his only start at Nats Park back in 2017.

Tonight is the first of six meetings between these teams over the next two weeks. They are scheduled to play three times this weekend in D.C. and three times in Denver for the season's penultimate series. Entering this penultimate home series, the Rockies are eight games ahead of the Nats in baseball's overall standings. The Nationals currently would have the No. 5 overall pick in next year's draft if the season ended today.

Make of that what you will.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. COLORADO ROCKIES
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 76 degrees, wind 6 mph in from right-center field

NATIONALS
CF Lane Thomas
SS Alcides Escobar
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
LF Yadiel Hernandez
C Keibert Ruiz
3B Carter Kieboom
2B Luis García
RHP Josiah Gray

ROCKIES
CF Garrett Hampson
2B Brendan Rodgers
RF Charlie Blackmon
SS Trevor Story
1B C.J. Cron
3B Ryan McMahon
C Elias Díaz
LF Sam Hilliard
RHP Germán Márquez