Max Scherzer aims for a strong finish (with lineups)

It's hard to believe that right-hander Max Scherzer will go for his first win since way back on July 30 when he takes the mound at Marlins Park this afternoon. That was also the last time Scherzer displayed real dominance, blanking Miami over seven innings while fanning six as the Nationals held on for a 1-0 victory.

Scherzer has struggled mightily since, going 0-3 with an unfathomable 6.08 ERA in his last seven starts. Over the rough stretch, Scherzer has been tagged for 11 home runs.

The longball cost Scherzer in his last outing as he surrendered three early homers to the Mets. After the Nats battled back, taking a 5-3 lead in the fourth, Scherzer coughed up a run in both the fifth and sixth innings, and the Mets went on to win 8-5.

As well as Scherzer pitched in the first four months, the Nationals ace enters today's start with an unflattering 11-11 record.

Yunel Escobar returns to the Nationals lineup after battling a stomach bug yesterday. Escobar is hitting .460 (23-for-50) with two doubles, six RBIs and nine runs scored over his last 13 games. Overall, Escobar's .321 batting average is fourth best in the National League.

Marlins left-hander Brad Hand gave up five runs in D.C. on Aug. 30. Jayson Werth took Hand deep for a two-run shot in the Nats' 7-4 win that afternoon.

For the Nationals:
2B Anthony Rendon
3B Yunel Escobar
RF Bryce Harper
LF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
CF Michael A. Taylor
1B Tyler Moore
RHP Max Scherzer

For the Marlins:
RF Ichiro Suzuki
LF Christian Yelich
3B Martin Prado
1B Justin Bour
CF Marcell Ozuna
2B Derek Dietrich
SS Miguel Rojas
C Jeff Mathis
LHP Brad Hand

Update: The Nationals have called up right-hander Erik Davis from Triple-A Syracuse. In his first year back from Tommy John surgery, the 28-year-old is 1-2 with a 3.88 ERA in the minors, splitting time between Single-A Potomac, Double-A Harrisburg and Syracuse.

Update II:

The Nats also recalled infielder Wilmer Difo from Double-A Harrisburg. This will be Difo's fourth stint with the Nats this season after making his Major League debut with a pinch-hit single against the Yankees on May 19.

Difo slashed .286/.325/.412 with five homers. 28 doubles, and six triples in the minors this season. The 23-year-old also swiped 30 bases and was caught stealing just twice.