Game 115 lineups: Braves at Nats

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

August 13, 2016, 7:16am

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Just another Saturday night for the first-place Nationals, right?

Not really.

Former closer Jonathan Papelbon requested his release. He got that release at 3 p.m.

The Nationals activated right-hander Reynaldo Lopez. He will make his third major league start, seeking his first win. This would seem to be his best chance to date to earn that first victory: a last-place team filled with guys he could have faced at the minor league level, plus Lopez has two starts under his belt and comes in with more confidence.

The Nats need a big start from the 22-year-old, in the second game of 20 straight and two days away from embarking on another nine-game, three-city road trip through Denver, Atlanta and Baltimore.

The Braves counter with right-hander Rob Whalen (1-0, 5.73 ERA). Whalen was 7-6 with a 2.40 ERA in 21 minor league starts and defeated the Pirates on August 3 despite giving up four earned runs.

ATLANTA BRAVES vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 183, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 94 degrees, wind 10 mph in from right to field

NATIONALS (67-47)
2B Trea Turner
CF Ben Revere
1B Daniel Murphy
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Jayson Werth
RF Brian Goodwin
SS Danny Espinosa
C Pedro Severino
RHP Reynaldo Lopez

BRAVES (44-72)
CF Ender Inciarte
SS Erick Aybar
1B Freddie Freeman
LF Matt Kemp
RF Nick Markakis
3B Adonis Garcia
2B Jace Peterson
C A.J. Pierzynski
RHP Rob Whalen