Game 116 lineups: Giants at Nats

The Nationals seek a series victory tonight in Game 2 of a day-night doubleheader with their ace, Max Scherzer, on the hill. Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Scherzer had the right to choose which game he would start on Sunday because he is the ace. When you get to be an ace of a staff, you can make that choice too.

Scherzer is 12-5 with a 2.23 ERA. Excluding the Aug. 1 game in which he left after one inning with neck spasms, Scherzer has struck out nine or more batters in 12 of his last 13 starts. His counterpart, southpaw Matt Moore, is 3-12 and is allowing a .396 average to left-handed batters.

Brian Goodwin tweaked his groin in Game 1, so he will not play in Game 2. Manager Dusty Baker: "It's groin tightness. We didn't want to take any chances. They are working on it now. Boy, it's getting tough, I'm glad we have bodies and quality players."

Andrew Stevenson moves to right field. Michael A. Taylor is in center field. Howie Kendrick will be in left field.

Daniel Murphy will start the nightcap after only pinch-hitting in the first game.

The Nats will then have a day off Monday and play Tuesday night at home against the Angels.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS Game 2
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, XM 187/869, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 82 degrees, no precipitation expected, wind 6 mph out to center field

NATIONALS (69-46)

RF Andrew Stevenson
SS Wilmer Difo
2B Daniel Murphy
1B Ryan Zimmerman
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Howie Kendrick
C Matt Wieters
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Max Scherzer

GIANTS (47-71)

CF Denard Span
2B Joe Panik
RF Hunter Pence
C Buster Posey
3B Pablo Sandoval
1B Ryder Jones
LF Jarrett Parker
SS Kelby Tomlinson
LHP Matt Moore