Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – If yesterday’s split-squad doubleheader wasn’t enough, we’re right back for more baseball this afternoon!

Trevor Williams gets the ball for his second start of spring this afternoon against the Astros. The veteran right-hander was the first Nationals starter to go multiple innings in his first outing, tossing 23 pitches, 16 strikes, Tuesday against the Marlins.

Williams had a quick first inning with only seven pitches against the Fish, but he ran into some trouble in the second, serving up a two-run home run. He wasn’t as concerned with that longball as he was proud of his ability to throw all of his pitches for strikes. But he is only two years removed from leading the National League in home runs allowed, so keeping the ball in the yard would be welcomed today, especially against a Houston lineup filled with regulars.

James Wood (right quad tendinitis) is not in the lineup as the designated hitter as manager Davey Martinez said he would. Wood had the day off yesterday following his spring debut on Friday, in which he went 1-for-2 with a walk in three plate appearances against the Mets. And the Nats will again be without Luis García Jr., who is not in the lineup after being scratched from last night’s game with an illness. (Although, he probably wasn’t scheduled to play today anyway).

The Nats bats will have their work cut out for them against Astros starter Ronel Blanco (no relation to yours truly). But the Nats, too, have a number of other regulars playing this afternoon, hopefully making for an entertaining spring training game.

Update: Wood is, in fact, playing today as the DH. There was a mistake submitting the lineup, which led to the confusion. No setbacks or anything of that sort. And García was seen back in the Nationals clubhouse getting ready to see the team doctor again.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. HOUSTON ASTROS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: None
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 76 degrees, wind 11 mph in from left-center field

NATIONALS
CF Jacob Young
1B Nathaniel Lowe
3B Paul DeJong
DH James Wood
C Keibert Ruiz
LF Alex Call
SS Amed Rosario
RF Andrew Pinckney
2B Trey Lipscomb

RHP Trevor Williams

ASTROS
LF Jose Altuve
3B Isaac Paredes
DH Yordan Alvarez
1B Christian Walker
C Victor Caratini
RF Quincy Hamilton
2B Brendan Rodgers
SS Luis Guillorme
CF Jake Meyers

RHP Ronel Blanco