Jordan Zimmermann aims to avoid sweep (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

August 02, 2015, 1:07pm

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FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Nationals send Jordan Zimmermann to the mound looking to hold off the Mets in the National League East. Washington will need more offense to avoid the sweep after plating a combined three runs in the first two losses of the series. The Nats have scored two or fewer runs in five of their last six games.

The Nationals have won six of Zimmermann's last seven starts dating back to June 24 with the right-hander pitching to a 2.62 ERA over the stretch. He has faced the Mets more than any other team in his career, delivering an 8-5 record with a 2.96 ERA in 22 starts.

Nationals manager Matt Williams has bumped Yunel Escobar up to the leadoff spot against Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard. Escobar wasn't able to finish his lone at-bat versus Syndergaard after injuring his left wrist on a check swing in a 4-3 win at Nationals Park on July 23.

For the Nationals:

3B Yunel Escobar
2B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
C Jose Lobaton
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

For the Mets:

RF Curtis Granderson
2B Daniel Murphy
CF Yoenis Cespedes
1B Lucas Duda
3B Juan Uribe
LF Kelly Johnson
C Kevin Plawecki
RHP Noah Syndergaard
SS Ruben Tejada