Game 77 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

Why does it feel like it's been ages since the Nationals last played a game here on South Capitol Street? OK, maybe it hasn't been ages in the technical sense, but it has been a full 12 days since Jayson Werth's walk-off single beat the Cubs and sent the Nats out west flying high for the moment. They return now after winning yesterday in Milwaukee to snap a seven-game losing streak, with Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list, a bullpen still trying to cobble things together minus Jonathan Papelbon and a lineup struggling big-time to produce with runners in scoring position.

The silver lining to all this: The Nationals just finished a stretch in which they played 19 of 24 games on the road, and even with the seven-game losing streak still finished 14-10. Now, they open a stretch in which they play 19 of 23 games at home, beginning with this weekend's National League East showdown against the Mets.

It's Joe Ross vs. Noah Syndergaard in tonight's opener, with Tuesday night's Nats starter still TBA. Syndergaard has been fantastic for the Mets, and he dominated the Nationals earlier this season at Citi Field, but he experienced elbow discomfort during his last start, so there's still that lingering issue when he takes the mound tonight.

Dusty Baker has his usual lineup out there, hoping it can deliver some desperately needed clutch hits ...

NEW YORK METS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB Network (outside of market), MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 89, MLB.com
Weather: Chance of rain, 80 degrees, wind 8 mph out to left field

NATIONALS (44-32)
CF Ben Revere
LF Jayson Werth
RF Bryce Harper
2B Daniel Murphy
C Wilson Ramos
1B Ryan Zimmerman
3B Anthony Rendon
SS Danny Espinosa
RHP Joe Ross

METS (40-34)
RF Curtis Granderson
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
CF Yoenis Cespdes
2B Neil Walker
1B James Loney
3B Wilmer Flores
LF Brandon Nimmo
C Travis d'Arnaud
RHP Noah Syndergaard