NLCS Game 4 lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals

The Nationals have played 2,456 games during their 15 years of existence. Many of those games carried little to no meaning. A decent number of them were significant but not historic. Twenty-eight of them have come in the postseason. None have featured the stakes that are on the table tonight.

For the first time in their history, the Nats are playing for a pennant. One more win over the Cardinals and they'll win the National League Championship Series and reach the World Series. And if they do it tonight in Game 4, they'll have swept St. Louis and given themselves six days off before they open the Fall Classic on the road in either Houston or New York.

So, yes, tonight's ballgame is kind of a big deal. And Nationals Park should be rocking like it has never rocked before.

It's Patrick Corbin on the mound, looking to do the unthinkable and become the fourth consecutive Nationals starter to prevent the Cardinals from scoring an earned run. St. Louis, which is batting an astounding .121/.167/.143 in the series, has shaken up its lineup. Dexter Fowler (0-for-11) has been benched and replaced in center field by Harrison Bader. Tommy Edman (0-for-10) is now batting leadoff, with José Martínez (4-for-11) bumped up to the No. 2 spot.

The Nationals lineup is same as it ever was, except for a swap at catcher. Yan Gomes, who has worked with Corbin all season long, is behind the plate instead of Kurt Suzuki. The rest of this group will try to keep the good vibes going against Cardinals right-hander Dakota Hudson, who beat the Nats last month at Busch Stadium with seven innings of two-run ball.

So there you have it. The stage has been set. The stakes are known. Strap in and enjoy the ride, everyone.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - GAME 4
WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 8:05 p.m. EDT
TV: TBS, TBS.com
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 64 degrees, wind 6 mph right field to left field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
2B Howie Kendrick
1B Ryan Zimmerman
CF Victor Robles
C Yan Gomes
LHP Patrick Corbin

CARDINALS
3B Tommy Edman
RF José Martínez
1B Paul Goldschmidt
LF Marcell Ozuna
C Yadier Molina
SS Paul DeJong
CF Harrison Bader
2B Kolten Wong
RHP Dakota Hudson