Nats going without Zimmerman in Game 3 lineup

SAN FRANCISCO - After the Nationals scored just three runs in the first two games of the National League Division Series, Matt Williams is running out the same lineup again for Game 3.

That means no Ryan Zimmerman, who Williams said he would consider adding to the lineup against Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco's Game 3 starter.

Zimmerman has not played third base since returning from a strained right hamstring in late September, leaving left field or first base as the only real options for Williams to slot him into the lineup.

If Zimmerman was to play left field, that would mean bumping out either Bryce Harper (who is 2-for-11 this series but hit a mammoth homer in Game 1 of the NLDS and has game-changing offensive ability) or Denard Span (who is 0-for-11 with a walk this series, but hit .302 this season as the Nats' everyday leadoff hitter). If Zimmerman was to play first base, that would mean Adam LaRoche would sit. LaRoche is 1-for-10 this series but has been the Nats' cleanup hitter much of the season and plays a very strong defensive first base. With the sinkerball-throwing Doug Fister on the mound today for the Nats, LaRoche's glove will come in handy.

Getting Zimmerman in the lineup would have provided another right-handed bat against Bumgarner, but if you look just at Zimmerman's career numbers against Bumgarner, they don't indicate he'd be much of an upgrade.

Zimmerman is 3-for-17 (.176) with a homer off Bumgarner, while LaRoche is 6-for-21 (.286) with three doubles. Harper is 3-for-9 with a homer off Bumgarner. Span is 1-for-8.

Some might wonder why Williams didn't get Jose Lobaton in the lineup, given his strong history working with Fister, and Wilson Ramos' lack of production in the first two games of this series.

But Williams is sticking with his power-hitting starting catcher, hoping to get Ramos' bat going. And he's also showing faith in his regulars, not changing things up just because of two games.

For the Nats
CF Denard Span
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
LF Bryce Harper
C Wilson Ramos
2B Asdrubal Cabrera
RHP Doug Fister

For the Giants
CF Gregor Blanco
2B Joe Panik
C Buster Posey
3B Pablo Sandoval
RF Hunter Pence
1B Brandon Belt
SS Brandon Crawford
LF Travis Ishikawa
LHP Madison Bumgarner