Game 56 lineups: Nats at Braves (Goodwin activated)

ATLANTA - The threat of rain halted Nationals batting practice Thursday night but didn't impact the game. We may not be as fortunate tonight, with storms all around the area threatening to cause problems not only before tonight's scheduled 7:35 p.m. game but also the early portion of the game itself. As always, stay tuned.

When they do play, the Nationals will send Stephen Strasburg to the mound. Strasburg was brilliant in his previous start against the Braves this season, tossing eight scoreless innings on April 10 in D.C. Strasburg also has pitched well in two previous starts at SunTrust Park (2-0, 2.45 ERA) after struggling in 10 career starts at Turner Field (4-3, 4.37). The Nationals have had success in the past against Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (4.89 ERA in eight starts), but he's 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA in two head-to-head matchups this season.

The Nats lineup features one very notable change from last night: Brian Goodwin is starting in center field instead of Michael A. Taylor. Yes, Goodwin has been activated off the 10-day disabled list (actually only a few hours after Double-A Harrisburg announced that Goodwin was "expected" to join Daniel Murphy, Adam Eaton and Matt Grace on a rehab assignment through the weekend). Someone apparently was misinformed, because Goodwin is here in Atlanta and ready to go.

Andrew Stevenson was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to make room on the active roster for Goodwin.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: SunTrust Park
Gametime: 7:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Thunderstorms, 77 degrees, wind 10 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Matt Adams
LF Juan Soto
CF Brian Goodwin
C Pedro Severino
RHP Stephen Strasburg
2B Wilmer Difo

BRAVES
CF Ender Inciarte
2B Ozzie Albies
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Nick Markakis
C Kurt Suzuki
3B Johan Camargo
LF Preston Tucker
SS Dansby Swanson
RHP Mike Foltynewicz