Game 71 lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals

The season is nearly halfway complete. The All-Star break is three weeks away. And today, two of the worst teams in the National League open a three-game series, one of them expected, one of them definitely not expected.

The Nationals, as much as everyone would’ve liked to believe, remain at the bottom of the NL East, a position they have taken firm control over while dropping 14 of their last 18 games. But the Cardinals were not supposed to be at the bottom of the NL Central, owners of a 29-43 record this deep into the season.

Suffice it to say, both teams will enter this series feeling like they need to win two of three to right their respective ships. Only one can prevail. For the Nats to do it, they’re simply going to have to start scoring more runs. They’re averaging only 3.2 runs over their last 13 games, with a .275 on-base percentage and .367 slugging percentage. It’s tough to win games like that. Perhaps they can generate some offense (and especially be patient) against St. Louis’ Jack Flaherty, who has issued a league-high 43 walks in 73 2/3 innings.

Josiah Gray led the league in walks last season, and though it has remained an issue this year, he stepped up big-time with zero free passes in a seven-inning start last week in Houston. Gray did give up four runs, but he was pleased with his process throughout that game (if not the results themselves).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 88 degrees, wind 11 mph right field to left field

NATIONALS
RF Lane Thomas
2B Luis García
3B Jeimer Candelario
DH Joey Meneses
C Keibert Ruiz
LF Corey Dickerson
1B Dominic Smith
CF Victor Robles
SS CJ Abrams

RHP Josiah Gray

CARDINALS
LF Brendan Donovan
1B Paul Goldschmidt
RF Lars Nootbaar
3B Nolan Arenado
C Willson Contreras
DH Jordan Walker
2B Nolan Gorman
SS Paul DeJong
CF Tommy Edman

RHP Jack Flaherty