Nats, Astros lineups for opener in Houston

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

August 06, 2012, 12:48pm

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The Nationals begin a four-game series with the worst team in the majors, the Astros, tonight from Minute Maid Park. Obviously, nothing is guaranteed in this game, but this would seem to be a nice chance for the Nats to rattle off a few wins and put a little more distance between themselves and their National League competition. The Astros have gone just 2-17 in their last 19 games, a stretch which included a 12-game losing streak. They did take one of their three games against the Braves this weekend, however, winning on Saturday by a 3-2 score. The Nats will send Edwin Jackson to the mound tonight as the righty looks to even his record at 7-7. Houston will counter with lefty Dallas Keuchel, who is 1-4 with a 5.77 ERA this season. For the Nats: SS Danny Espinosa CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman LF Michael Morse 1B Adam LaRoche RF Jayson Werth C Kurt Suzuki 2B Steve Lombardozzi P Edwin Jackson For the Astros: 2B Jose Altuve SS Marwin Gonzalez 1B Brett Wallace RF Justin Maxwell 3B Scott Moore LF J.D. Martinez CF Jordan Schafer C Carlos Corporan P Dallas Keuchel