Game 64 lineups: Nats vs. Pirates (Scherzer to IL)

First, the news of the day, not totally unexpected: The Nationals have placed Max Scherzer on the 10-day injured list with groin inflammation. The move is retroactive to Saturday, so that means he'll be eligible to return one week from today against the Phillies. Again, no shocker here, and Scherzer certainly seems to expect he'll be good to go by then.

With a chance to add another pitcher, the Nats purchased right-hander Justin Miller's contract from Triple-A Rochester, bringing back the reliever who last pitched for them in 2019 and who has been excellent in the minors so far this season (0.55 ERA, 29 strikeouts, four walks in 16 1/3 innings). The club also designated right-hander Rogelio Armenteros for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Miller.

Now, onto tonight's game against the Pirates. It's Patrick Corbin on the mound, and he could really use a quality start to help continue the team's recent pitching surge. The Nationals have a 2.30 ERA over their last 10 games, and they've done it without Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg. They need Corbin to be part of this resurgence, though, after a rough start to his season.

They'll also hope the lineup can produce some tonight against Pirates left-hander Tyler Anderson. The Nats have been better against lefties than righties this season, so this could be a favorable matchup for them. And wouldn't you know, Kyle Schwarber is leading off for the fourth time in five games. If you haven't heard, he's homered in each of the three previous games, so the pressure's on to keep the streak alive tonight.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES 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, 79 degrees, wind 10 mph in from left field

NATIONALS
LF Kyle Schwarber
SS Trea Turner
RF Juan Soto
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Josh Harrison
C Yan Gomes
3B Jordy Mercer
CF Victor Robles
LHP Patrick Corbin

PIRATES
2B Kevin Newman
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes
CF Brian Reynolds
C Jacob Stallings
RF Gregory Polanco
SS Erik González
LF Ben Gamel
1B Phillip Evans
LHP Tyler Anderson