Game 33 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

The Nationals already have had a chance to take on two of their potential challengers in the National League East division this season in the Mets and Braves. Tonight they'll get their first look at the Phillies, who after a long and at times painful rebuild appear to have turned the corner and look ready to contend.

Gabe Kapler's first week on the job was a disaster, but since a 1-4 debut his team has gone 16-9 (though they do come to D.C. having lost 6-of-9). This team has some intriguing young talent in Rhys Hoskins and Scott Kingery and big additions in Carlos Santana and Jake Arrieta (who starts Sunday's finale against Max Scherzer).

Tonight it's former Nationals prospect Nick Pivetta on the mound. Pivetta, you may or may not remember, was the guy traded to Philadelphia for Jonathan Papelbon. The right-hander had a 6.02 ERA in 26 starts last season but has been much improved so far this season: 3.27 ERA and 1.121 WHIP in six starts.

Pivetta will be facing what has become the new Nats lineup, with Bryce Harper leading off, Matt Adams batting third and Wilmer Difo batting ninth. Hey, that arrangement helped them win three in a row over the Pirates and extend their overall winning streak to five games. Why change now?

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 86 degrees, wind 15 mph out to center field

NATIONALS
RF Bryce Harper
SS Trea Turner
LF Matt Adams
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Howie Kendrick
C Matt Wieters
CF Michael A. Taylor
LHP Gio Gonzalez
3B Wilmer Difo

PHILLIES
2B César Hernández
LF Rhys Hoskins
CF Odúbel Herrera
RF Aaron Altherr
1B Carlos Santana
3B Maikel Franco
SS Scott Kingery
C Jorge Alfaro
RHP Nick Pivetta