Game 26 lineups: Nats vs. Padres

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

April 28, 2019, 7:01am

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The Nationals already are assured of losing their third straight series. It's too late to change that. But they have to win today to avoid their first series sweep of the season, and if that isn't motivation enough for this afternoon's contest with the Padres, what else is?

We know the Nats need to be able to lock down games late, their biggest problem area. But they also need to be able to score more runs, no matter the inning. Over their last eight games, they're batting a collective .235 with a .302 on-base percentage, .699 OPS and 86 strikeouts. (Only once during this span have they struck out fewer than 10 times in a game.) That's not going to cut it, and it only puts more pressure on the pitching staff.

Speaking of pitching, it's Jeremy Hellickson on the mound for today's game. The right-hander was very good in his first two starts of the season, not so much last time out (though that came in his first start at Coors Field, so we'll give him a little leeway there).

SAN DIEGO PADRES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Chance of showers, 67 degrees, wind 7 mph out to center field

NATIONALS (11-14)
RF Victor Robles
2B Brian Dozier
LF Juan Soto
3B Howie Kendrick
1B Matt Adams
C Kurt Suzuki
SS Carter Kieboom
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Jeremy Hellickson

PADRES (16-11)
SS Fernando Tatis Jr.
2B Greg Garcia
3B Manny Machado
LF Wil Myers
1B Eric Hosmer
RF Hunter Renfroe
C Austin Hedges
CF Manuel Margot
LHP Joey Lucchesi