Game 49 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers

A nine-game homestand that began with a sweep of the Orioles concludes today for the Nationals, who need to beat the Brewers just to avoid getting swept and finishing this stretch with a losing record. Yes, the narratives change quickly around here.

The good news: Max Scherzer is on the mound, and he's the best thing the Nats have going for them right now. So far this month, he's 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA, 0.780 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings. Against a Brewers lineup that ranks last in the National League in batting average and on-base percentage, it looks like a favorable matchup for Scherzer.

The bad news: Brandon Woodruff is also on the mound, and he's the best thing the Brewers have going for them right now. The right-hander leads the NL with a 1.41 ERA and 0.703 WHIP, having surrendered a miniscule 31 hits in 64 innings. Against a Nationals lineup that ranks 13th in the NL in runs scored, it looks like a favorable matchup for Woodruff.

In other words, something's got to give today. First team to score wins?

One significant lineup change: Juan Soto is leading off for only the second time in his career. He previously did it May 30, 2018 (exactly three years ago) in a 2-0 win at Baltimore, a game started by Scherzer. Who, of course, starts today.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Slight chance of rain, 54 degrees, wind 12 mph in from left field

NATIONALS
RF Juan Soto
SS Trea Turner
1B Josh Bell
LF Kyle Schwarber
2B Josh Harrison
C Yan Gomes
CF Andrew Stevenson
3B Jordy Mercer
RHP Max Scherzer

BREWERS
2B Kolten Wong
1B Daniel Vogelbach
LF Christian Yelich
RF Avisaíl García
C Omar Narváez
3B Travis Shaw
SS Willy Adames
CF Jackie Bradley Jr.
RHP Brandon Woodruff