Game 18 lineups: Nats vs. Orioles

Can the Nationals score a run tonight? That’s what’s at stake in the finale of this two-game series against the Orioles. OK, so maybe that’s a little too harsh of a preview, but after Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss, it’s hard not to think about such seemingly trivial matters.

A lineup that couldn’t score a run off Dean Kremer will now attempt to do it against Kyle Bradish, who comes off the 15-day injured list to rejoin the Orioles rotation. The right-hander was knocked out in the second inning of his season debut at Texas when he was struck in the foot by a comebacker. The injury turned out not to be severe, though, and Bradish was able to make a rehab start for Double-A Bowie five days ago, so he’s good to go tonight with no real concerns.

MacKenzie Gore starts for the Nats, looking to bounce back from his first rough start of the season last week in Anaheim. Gore had been excellent his first two times on the mound, but he lost all semblance of command against the Angels and was pulled after throwing 88 pitches in only 3 2/3 innings. This will be another good challenge for the lefty, facing a tough Baltimore lineup that was nonetheless held in check Tuesday by Josiah Gray.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 73 degrees, wind 6 mph out to center field

NATIONALS
CF Alex Call
1B Dominic Smith
3B Jeimer Candelario
DH Joey Meneses
2B Luis García
C Keibert Ruiz
LF Stone Garrett
SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas

LHP MacKenzie Gore

ORIOLES
LF Austin Hays
DH Adley Rutschman
1B Ryan Mountcastle
RF Anthony Santander
2B Ramón Urías
SS Jorge Mateo
3B Gunnar Henderson
C James McCann
CF Cedric Mullins

RHP Kyle Bradish