Game 156 lineups: Nats at Reds

The Nationals won't be winning back-to-back series. That possibility flew out the window with back-to-back, walk-off losses in Cincinnati the last two nights. But they do have a chance to salvage a four-game split if they can win today's series finale over the Reds.

They would certainly love to get another quality start out of Josh Rogers, who has been an absolute revelation since his arrival earlier this month. The left-hander has made four starts so far and has gone 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA. More than that, he's brought an energy and positive vibe that has been oh-so-welcome during what's obviously been a difficult final month to this lost season.

Rogers might just be pitching his way into next year's plans, which is of far greater consequence than his emotions on and off the mound. He's got two more chances to pitch this season, and if he can finish this off in style, it's hard to imagine he won't at least be in the mix for the 2022 rotation.

Yadiel Hernandez and Carter Kieboom both return to the lineup today, Hernandez after missing a couple games while on paternity leave following the birth of his daughter, Kieboom after missing a couple games with a bruised forearm following a pitch that struck him at the start of the week in Miami. Riley Adams also gets a chance to catch for the first time in 11 days.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CINCINNATI REDS
Where: Great American Ball Park
Gametime: 1:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 72 degrees, wind 9 mph out to left field

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

REDS
2B Jonathan India
C Tyler Stephenson
RF Nick Castellanos
3B Eugenio Suárez
SS Kyle Farmer
1B Asdrúbal Cabrera
LF Delino DeShields
CF Jose Barrero
RHP Tyler Mahle