Strasburg faces Cardinals in final spring tune-up

JUPITER, Fla. - Hello from Roger Dean Stadium. Again. Why does it feel like we're here every other day? Probably because we are. This is the Nationals' third scheduled game in Jupiter in the last five days. The first (against the Marlins) was rained out. Then they played the Cardinals on Saturday. Now they're playing St. Louis one more time this afternoon.

After yesterday's rainout in the scheduled finale at Space Coast Stadium, Stephen Strasburg was pushed back to start today. He'll be good to throw up to six innings or 95 pitches, facing a Cardinals lineup that includes most of their regulars.

St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright won't face as imposing a lineup, with most of the Nationals regulars staying back for a workout in Viera before they all play in Wednesday's Grapefruit League finale against the Mets in Port St. Lucie.

And yes, that is Trea Turner in the lineup today, even though he was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse yesterday. All players who are sent down through the rest of camp will stay with the big league club and fly north for this weekend's exhibition games against the Twins before departing for Syracuse or Double-A Harrisburg.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MLB.tv (Cardinals broadcast), MLB Network (delayed at 3 a.m. Wednesday)
Radio: MLB.com (Cardinals broadcast), XM 183
Weather: Chance of storms late, 84 degrees, wind 6 mph in from center field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
CF Michael A. Taylor
1B Clint Robinson
LF Chris Heisey
RF Matt den Dekker
3B Stephen Drew
2B Scott Sizemore
C Jose Lobaton
RHP Stephen Strasburg

CARDINALS
3B Matt Carpenter
2B Kolten Wong
1B Matt Holliday
CF Randal Grichuk
LF Brandon Moss
SS Jedd Gyorko
RF Tommy Pham
C Yadier Molina
RHP Adam Wainwright