NLDS Game 4 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers

This is the fourth time the Nationals have trailed two games to one in a best-of-five series. Twice in the past, they've gone on to win Game 4 (Jayson Werth's walk-off homer in 2012, Stephen Strasburg's dominant start at Wrigley Field in 2017) and force a Game 5. Once they lost and were eliminated (Aaron Barrett and Matt Thornton in San Francisco in 2014).

What does tonight hold in store for us? Well, Max Scherzer is on the mound, and if he's in peak form, obviously the Nationals have a good chance to win. The issue is how far the ace can go tonight, and how effective he can be during perhaps the sixth and seventh innings. And then at what point Davey Martinez decides to turn to his bullpen, with Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson all but guaranteed to pitch and perhaps Strasburg making another relief appearance if needed.

The lineup, meanwhile, needs to score runs off Rich Hill, the 39-year-old lefty who will be limited to four innings and/or 60 pitches as he returns from injury. Martinez is going with Ryan Zimmerman at first base, but he's sticking with Howie Kendrick, who goes back to second base and makes his fifth consecutive start this postseason. They're banking on the veteran delivering the kind of big hits he produced all season long. Michael A. Taylor also remains in center field, with Victor Robles still sidelined by a minor hamstring strain.

The forecast, as everyone has been wondering, does call for a chance of rain. For now, that rain appears to be coming late in the game, after 9 p.m. As always, things can change quickly.

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES - GAME 4
WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:40 p.m. EDT
TV: TBS, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Chance of rain late, 76 degrees, wind 6 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
2B Howie Kendrick
1B Ryan Zimmerman
C Kurt Suzuki
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Max Scherzer

DODGERS
RF Joc Pederson
1B Max Muncy
3B Justin Turner
CF Cody Bellinger
SS Corey Seager
LF Matt Beaty
2B Gavin Lux
C Will Smith
LHP Rich Hill