Game 23 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

Who's ready for 14 innings of thrilling baseball action? For the first time, the Nationals are playing a doubleheader today, 2020 style. That means seven innings per game (unless it's tied at the end of the seventh, of course, in which case they continue into the eighth using the new extra-inning rules).

There's going to be some different strategy to this. All of a sudden, the fifth and sixth innings have more importance and would be prime time for top relievers. Or, a successful and efficient starter could just go the distance.

That's surely what Davey Martinez would love for Max Scherzer to do in this afternoon's opener. If anything, a long start from Scherzer has added importance because it would keep as many relievers as possible available for the nightcap, when the manager will probably use a quicker hook with rookie Wil Crowe (named the starter for the late game). However, Martinez hinted he may not push Scherzer too far today, both because he threw 112 pitches his last time out and because closer Daniel Hudson is rested and available to close out the game if the situation calls for it.

Don Mattingly may use a quick hook in the opener, which will be started by rookie left-hander Daniel Castano. The 25-year-old, among those who was called up after more than half the Marlins roster tested positive for COVID-19, is making only his third career big league start, though he did hold the Braves to one run over six innings in his last outing.

The Nationals did get good news: Howie Kendrick is back in the lineup for the first time in more than a week. Kendrick will bat third and serve as DH. Josh Harrison also gets a rare start at second base, with Michael A. Taylor in right field as Martinez gives the left-handed-hitting Adam Eaton and Luis García the opener off, with plans for both to play tonight.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MIAMI MARLINS - GAME 1
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Chance of storms, 78 degrees, wind 7 mph right field to left field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
LF Juan Soto
DH Howie Kendrick
1B Asdrúbal Cabrera
C Kurt Suzuki
2B Josh Harrison
3B Carter Kieboom
CF Victor Robles
RF Michael A. Taylor

RHP Max Scherzer

MARLINS
2B Jonathan Villar
DH Matt Joyce
1B Jesús Aguilar
LF Corey Dickerson
3B Brian Anderson
RF Jesús Sánchez
C Jorge Alfaro
CF Magneuris Sierra
SS Miguel Rojas

LHP Daniel Castano