Game 23 lineups: Nats at Rockies

DENVER - The Nationals are 1-7 in series openers so far this season, and that's a bad thing. But they're 6-1 in series finales, and that's a good thing. Despite digging themselves into a hole every time they open new set against a new opponent, they've found a way to climb out of it and emerge still in one piece.

They'll try to do that again today and pull off a series victory at Coors Field after dropping the opener but winning a tense affair last night. They'll ask Aníbal Sánchez to hold the Rockies lineup in check and take as much stress off the bullpen as possible. Sánchez has made two previous starts here and has thrived, going 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA. He'll be facing a Rockies lineup that includes Daniel Murphy, just activated off the injured list.

And they'll ask a banged-up lineup to try to produce against Colorado right-hander German Márquez, who enters 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in five starts to open his season. Anthony Rendon is out for the fourth straight game with a bruised left elbow. Ryan Zimmerman is out after landing awkwardly on his foot making a leaping catch at first base last night (though he probably would've sat today, regardless). And Howie Kendrick is out after playing a lot lately. The good news: Juan Soto is starting after fouling a ball off his right foot in the ninth inning last night.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at COLORADO ROCKIES
Where: Coors Field
Gametime: 3:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 70 degrees, wind 3 mph in from center field

NATIONALS (11-11)
RF Adam Eaton
CF Victor Robles
LF Juan Soto
1B Matt Adams
C Kurt Suzuki
2B Brian Dozier
3B Jake Noll
RHP Aníbal Sánchez
SS Wilmer Difo

ROCKIES (10-14)
RF Charlie Blackmon
SS Trevor Story
1B Daniel Murphy
3B Nolan Arenado
CF David Dahl
2B Ryan McMahon
LF Raimel Tapia
C Tony Wolters
RHP German Márquez