Game 149 lineups: Nats at Cardinals (Martinez stays in D.C.)

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals have just announced that Davey Martinez remains in Washington for precautionary medical testing. Bench coach Chip Hale revealed after Sunday's game that the manager had gone to the hospital because he wasn't feeling well, but that he was expected to be with the team in St. Louis for tonight's series opener. Instead, Hale will manage the club in Martinez's absence tonight.

The Nationals face another stiff challenge in the Central-leading Cardinals, who suffered a gut-punch loss to the Brewers with two outs in the ninth Sunday and now lead the Cubs by only two games. In a weird way, a successful series here for the Nats might only help increase the possibility of a wild card matchup with St. Louis instead of Chicago or Milwaukee.

First things first, they need to come out tonight and take the opener. They've got Stephen Strasburg on the mound, and he's been very good against the Cardinals throughout his career (2.38 ERA in seven starts). He also held this team to one run in 6 2/3 innings back in April when they met at Nationals Park.

The Nats are facing Dakota Hudson, who held them to one run in six innings earlier this season. They'll go after the right-hander with a lineup that includes Asdrúbal Cabrera batting fifth and Ryan Zimmerman batting sixth.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Busch Stadium
Gametime: 7:45 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB Network (outside D.C. market), MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 89 degrees, wind 4 mph in from left field

NATIONALS (82-65)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
2B Asdrúbal Cabrera
1B Ryan Zimmerman
CF Victor Robles
C Yan Gomes
RHP Stephen Strasburg

CARDINALS (83-65)
RF Dexter Fowler
2B Kolten Wang
1B Paul Goldschmidt
LF Marcell Ozuna
SS Paul DeJong
C Yadier Molina
3B Tommy Edman
CF Harrison Bader
RHP Dakota Hudson