Game 104 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers

The Nationals will make the unusual step today of not using a traditional starting pitcher in Game 2 of this home series versus the Dodgers. Left-hander Matt Grace will take the mound as the opener for the Nats.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said postgame Friday night, after the club's 4-2 loss to Los Angeles, that right-hander Joe Ross will make his second start of the season for Game 2. Plans have changed, however, with Grace getting the ball to start. Dodgers three-time Cy Young winner southpaw Clayton Kershaw (8-2, 2.84 ERA).

"Hey, I truly believe that we match up really well with them, we do," Martinez said late Friday night. "And we saw that today, it was one heck of a game, it was a lot of fun, the boys were into it, it was exciting, the fans were into it. Let's come back tomorrow and do it again, and let's be on top by the end of the game."

Grace has one start in 171 appearances in his big league career. On Aug. 18, 2017, Grace started for the Nationals in San Diego against the Padres. He allowed two hits, one walk and struck out one batter over 4 1/3 innings pitched. Serving as the opener today, his workload figures to be shorter than his last start. Ross will likely follow to carry the bulk of the work after Grace.

Kershaw last faced the Nationals April 20, 2018, at Dodger Stadium, taking the loss after allowing four earned runs on nine hits over seven innings. The Nats won that game, 5-2, thanks to a solid effort from Max Scherzer. It was the Nats only win over the Dodgers that season.

The club is now 3-8 versus the Dodgers since the beginning of 2018. The Nats need to win the last two games of this weekend to win their first season series over the Dodgers since 2014.

Prior to today's game, the Nationals have recalled infielder Adrián Sanchez from Double-A Harrisburg and optioned right-handed pitcher Kyle Barraclough to Harrisburg.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly sunny, 88 degrees, wind 6 mph from left field towards first base

NATIONALS (55-48)

SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Howie Kendrick
2B Brian Dozier
C Yan Gomes
LHP Matt Grace (opener)
CF Victor Robles

DODGERS (68-37)

LF Alex Verdugo
3B Justin Turner
CF A.J. Pollock
RF Cody Bellinger
2B Max Muncy
SS Corey Seager
C Will Smith
1B Joc Pederson
LHP Clayton Kershaw