Game 34 lineups: Nats vs. Tigers

Every franchise experiences certain rites of passage throughout the course of its existence, and tonight the Nationals will experience a new one: The return of a star player now wearing an opposing uniform.

Jordan Zimmermann makes his first-ever start at Nationals Park as a member of the Tigers, taking the mound for tonight's series finale. When he does, he'll become easily the best former National ever to face his old team here in town. Thinking back across the years, who else is even in the discussion? Alfonso Soriano? Adam Dunn? Michael Morse? The guess here is that the assembled crowd (which should be a big one since it's also Bryce Harper MVP Bobblehead Night) will give Zimmermann a rousing ovation, thanking him for his seven years of service in the District.

Max Scherzer, in a cool twist of fate, also faces his former team for the first time. The former Tigers right-hander needs a quality performance tonight, no matter who he's facing, after several shaky ones of late. He gave up four homers Friday at Wrigley Field, giving him an MLB-leading nine for the season. That trend needs to be reversed, but it's a tough challenge to do that against a tough Detroit lineup.

The weather has been dreary all day, but the forecast is calling for clearing skies in advance of scheduled first pitch. Keep your fingers crossed ...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs DETROIT TIGERS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 183, MLB.com
Weather: Rain ending, 65 degrees, wind 5 mph in from right field

NATIONALS (20-13)
CF Ben Revere
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
2B Daniel Murphy
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Jayson Werth
C Wilson Ramos
SS Danny Espinosa
RHP Max Scherzer

TIGERS (15-17)
2B Ian Kinsler
RF J.D. Martinez
3B Miguel Cabrera
1B Victor Martinez
LF Justin Upton
C James McCann
CF Anthony Gose
SS Jose Iglesias
RHP Jordan Zimmermann