Starting lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH – Let’s try this again, shall we?

After yesterday’s rainout against the Marlins, the Nationals return to CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches to face the other team from Jupiter: the Cardinals.

Trevor Williams’ spring debut was supposed to be yesterday, but the Nationals pushed it back to today after he reported to camp late after the birth of his fifth child and scheduled Zach Davies to start instead. This will be Williams’ first Grapefruit League appearance this spring as he attempts to hold onto his spot in the Nationals rotation.

With Davies, Jake Irvin, Jackson Rutledge and Joan Adon also fighting for the fourth and fifth spots and already removed from their spring debuts, Williams will have to impress every chance he gets in order to stick in the rotation. Otherwise, he could be headed to the bullpen as a swing man, which he did to mixed results with the Cubs and Mets from 2021-22.

Being that it’s his first outing, the right-hander will likely be limited to one or two innings and 20-30 pitches. Tanner Rainey, Richard Bleier, Robert Gsellman and Derek Law are among the pitchers listed to follow Williams out of the bullpen.

The Nationals regulars in the starting lineup facing Cardinals veteran right-hander Sonny Gray: Lane Thomas is leading off and in right field, James Wood is batting second and making his first appearance in left, Joey Meneses is at first base, Keibert Ruiz is catching, Nick Senzel is at third, Luis García Jr. is at second and Victor Robles is in center. Elijah Green is among the minor league call-ups.

After yesterday’s rainout, the Nats are playing a simulated game at 11 a.m. on Field 2 in the back fields of the complex. Davies and Rutledge are the starting pitchers with a handful of regulars playing, including Stone Garrett.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: WJFK 1580 AM, MLB.com (Cardinals' feed)
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 78 degrees, wind 9 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
RF Lane Thomas
LF James Wood
DH Jesse Winker
1B Joey Meneses
C Keibert Ruiz
3B Nick Senzel
2B Luis García Jr.
SS Ildemaro Vargas
CF Victor Robles

RHP Trevor Williams

CARDINALS
DH Brendan Donovan
RF Jordan Walker
2B Nolan Gorman
3B Nolan Arenado
C Wilson Contreras
1B Matt Carpenter
LF Alec Burleson
SS Masyn Winn
CF Victor Scott II

RHP Sonny Gray