Game 88 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

The final day of the first half of the 2017 season has arrived, and while it may feel like this day has come quickly, it also comes at the end of a particularly difficult portion of the schedule for the Nationals. They had 37 games scheduled in the last 38 days - one of those was Wednesday night's game that was postponed - and during this time they've seen Jayson Werth, Trea Turner, Michael A. Taylor, Koda Glover and Shawn Kelley all land on the disabled list.

The Nationals' record during this tough stretch so far is 18-17, which is certainly not as impressive as their record prior to that point (33-19) but is understandable given the circumstances.

They'll try to end the first half on a positive note today and then head into a much-needed All-Star break, hoping to return Friday in Cincinnati healthier and fresher, ready to go on a run more reminiscent of the season's first two months.

It'll be Joe Ross on the mound, looking to continue his strong run over the last several weeks. After Tanner Roark was needed for five innings out of the bullpen yesterday, the Nats will need some length from Ross today. A Nationals lineup that was shut out yesterday for the first time all season tries to bounce back against Atlanta left-hander Sean Newcomb.

ATLANTA BRAVES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, XM 186/869, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 83 degrees, wind 7 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS (51-36)
CF Brian Goodwin
SS Wilmer Difo
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Anthony Rendon
C Matt Wieters
LF Chris Heisey
RHP Joe Ross

BRAVES (42-44)
CF Ender Inciarte
2B Johan Camargo
3B Freddie Freeman
LF Matt Kemp
RF Nick Markakis
1B Matt Adams
C Tyler Flowers
SS Dansby Swanson
LHP Sean Newcomb