Starting lineups: Nats vs. Mets in Viera

VIERA, Fla. - There will be far more at stake when the Nationals and Mets for the first time in the regular season in May (and each time through September, perhaps beyond), but any time these two rivals get together on the diamond, it's worth a little extra attention. After the way things played out last year, this has become by far the best current rivalry in the National League East.

After a 6-2 victory over the Rays in Port Charlotte yesterday, the Nationals get to host New York in their home opener at Space Coast Stadium. Manager Dusty Baker is starting several of his projected regulars, including Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Ben Revere and Daniel Murphy (playing against his former team for the first time).

Max Scherzer, who Baker has essentially confirmed as his opening day starter, gets the ball for the first time this exhibition season. Knowing Scherzer and knowing how often he's likely to face the Mets this season, I wouldn't be surprised if he purposely holds back a lot of his stuff in this game, not wanting to tip his hand for when it really counts.

Here are the lineups and other important info ...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. NEW YORK METS
Where: Space Coast Stadium, Viera
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Mets broadcast)
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 78 degrees, wind 10 mph in from left field

NATIONALS
CF Ben Revere
2B Daniel Murphy
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Clint Robinson
SS Danny Espinosa
LF Reed Johnson
C Jhonatan Solano
DH Jason Martinson

RHP Max Scherzer

METS
DH Alejandro De Aza
CF Juan Lagares
LF Michael Conforto
3B Wilmer Flores
C Kevin Plawecki
1B Marc Krauss
RF Eric Campbell
SS Ruben Tejada
2B Dilson Herrera

RHP Rafael Montero