Game 157 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

A 3-2 win in the opener of today’s doubleheader against the Braves allows the Nationals to enter the nightcap feeling a little less pressure on themselves. Nobody expects them to sweep the twinbill, but if they can somehow come out and play loose and steal another victory, how impressive would that be?

To pull it off, they’ll need to take down one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors in Spencer Strider. The young right-hander entered the day leading the National League in both wins (18) and strikeouts (270). He overwhelmed the Nationals back on April 1 with six innings of scoreless ball, but they did beat him last summer with five runs in four innings here on South Capitol Street.

Seven of the nine guys who started the opener are back in Davey Martinez’s lineup, the only changes coming at third base and behind the plate, with Ildemaro Vargas and Keibert Ruiz replacing Carter Kieboom and Drew Millas, respectively.

Joan Adon gets the start, six days after the right-hander labored against the White Sox, giving up five runs and nine hits in five-plus innings. Most of the bullpen should be available tonight, but Robert Garcia (who went two innings in the opener) most likely isn’t.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Rain ending, 65 degrees, wind 6 mph in from left field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
C Keibert Ruiz
DH Joey Meneses
2B Luis García
1B Dominic Smith
3B Ildemaro Vargas
LF Jake Alu
CF Jacob Young

RHP Joan Adon

BRAVES
CF Michael Harris II
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
C Travis d’Arnaud
SS Orlando Arcia
RF Kevin Pillar
LF Forrest Wall

RHP Spencer Strider