Game 99 lineups: Nats at Brewers

MILWAUKEE - The Nationals have to feel good about gaining a split against the Braves over the weekend, and they arrive at Miller Park trailing second-place Atlanta by five games and first-place Philadelphia by six games in the National League East.

The Nats are back at .500 again (49-49) as they embark on a seven-game road trip against the Brewers and Marlins.

The Brewers lead the NL wild card standings, a full five games ahead of the Nationals. Milwaukee is a formidable opponent at 56-45, just 3 1/2 games out of first place in the NL Central, and they have a 31-20 record at home. But they have struggled recently, getting swept in five games by the Pirates in Pittsburgh before All-Star break and going 1-2 against the Dodgers at home over the weekend.

The Nationals turn to veteran left-hander Gio Gonzalez (6-6, 3.72 ERA). The Brewers counter with right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (8-3, 3.68 ERA)

Manager Davey Martinez is going with Ryan Zimmerman at first base in the opener. It will be interesting to see when Martinez employs ZImmerman the rest of the season against right-handed pitching.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Where: Miller Park
Gametime: 8:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Roof open, mostly cloudy, 78 degrees, no precipitation expected, winds south southeast 13 mph

NATIONALS

RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
CF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Juan Soto
2B Daniel Murphy
SS Trea Turner
C Matt Wieters
LHP Gio Gonzalez

BREWERS

RF Keon Broxton
LF Christian Yelich
CF Lorenzo Cain
1B Ryan Braun
3B Travis Shaw
SS Tyler Saladino
2B Hernán Pérez
C Eric Kratz
RHP Jhoulys Chacin