Game 53 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

We've wondered countless times this season if the Nationals might be able to build and then sustain some positive momentum. And inevitably the answer has been an emphatic no. So even though they've won two straight over the Marlins, it would be wholly irresponsible to start talking about any kind of positive momentum at this point.

However, if the Nats can do today what they haven't been able to do all year - win three consecutive games - perhaps we can finally proclaim momentum to have been achieved.

In order to do it, the Nationals need Erick Fedde to pick up where he left off last week in New York, where he allowed one run over five innings against the Mets. The right-hander will need to build his pitch count well beyond the 61 he threw in that last start (after which he admitted to Davey Martinez and Paul Menhart he was fatigued). The good news (I suppose) is that the entire bullpen is fresh after getting yesterday off thanks to Patrick Corbin.

At the plate, the Nationals need to have more success against Caleb Smith than they did last month in Miami, when the lefty held them to one run in six innings. The lineup includes Howie Kendrick at first base, not to mention the red-hot Juan Soto in the cleanup spot.

MIAMI MARLINS 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 storms, 88 degrees, wind 9 mph out to right field

NATIONALS (21-31)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Howie Kendrick
2B Brian Dozier
CF Victor Robles
C Yan Gomes
RHP Erick Fedde

MARLINS (16-32)
RF Curtis Granderson
CF Harold Ramírez
3B Brian Anderson
1B Neil Walker
2B Starlin Castro
C Jorge Alfaro
LF Austin Dean
SS Miguel Rojas
LHP Caleb Smith