Game 155 lineups: Nats at Pirates

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

September 25, 2016, 7:44am

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PITTSBURGH - After clinching their third National League East title in five seasons last night, the Nationals will rest a fair amount of their regulars for today's finale of a three-game series against the Pirates.

But make no mistake, there is still something to play for: home field advantage in the National League Division Series, which the Nats would prefer to open at home against, in all likelihood, the Dodgers on Oct. 7.

With 90 victories, the Nationals currently have one more victory than the Dodgers, who today close out a four-game series at Chavez Ravine against the Rockies. The Dodgers then finish the regular season with three-game road series at San Diego and San Francisco. After today's game in Pittsburgh, the Nats return to D.C. for four games with the Diamondbacks, then three games against the Marlins.

Perhaps that's why manager Dusty Baker didn't completely empty the bench today. Three regulars - right fielder Bryce Harper, third baseman Anthony Rendon and shortstop Danny Espinosa - are in the starting lineup against the Pirates. Right-hander A.J. Cole will start for the Nats.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 184/869, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 71 degrees, wind 3 mph

Nationals (90-64)
CF Ben Revere
2B Wilmer Difo
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Clint Robinson
SS Danny Espinosa
LF Brian Goodwin
C Jose Lobaton
RHP A.J. Cole

Pirates (77-77)
1B John Jaso
RF Josh Bell
CF Andrew McCutchen
3B Jung Ho Kang
LF Sean Rodriguez
SS Jordy Mercer
2B Pedro Florimon
C Eric Fryer
RHP Tyler Glasnow