Williams on Soriano, Strasburg, Rendon, Desmond and more before Braves finale

Nationals manager Matt Williams said it is important for reliever Rafael Soriano to get into today's game after spending a few days refining his mechanics following a rough stretch.

During Soriano's time off, Drew Storen has saved three consecutive games.

"Oh, yeah, very important," Williams said of getting Soriano some game action. "We gave him a couple of days. He worked on some things. He had a day (off) after that work. Now it's important for him to get in a game, of course. We want to get him in there and let him feel confident about the things that he worked on in the bullpen.

"There's nothing like getting into the game situation. Even if you are throwing a bullpen, you don't get the adrenaline that you get during the game."

Williams said the bullpen is pretty fresh considering the Nats used five relievers in Tuesday's win.

"There's a combination of a lot of guys we could use today," Williams said. "But three guys that have experience in the back of the bullpen are ready and available today if need be."

Williams said he is proud of the way the relievers have adjusted to their roles, from Ross Detwiler moving from starter to relief and Storen stepping in as closer over the past week.

"They've all said throughout the whole season, 'We can come in in this situation, too,' " Williams said. "They remind me from time to time, 'Listen, I can do this.' The last few days, they've been pressed into duty in that regard."

Williams said Anthony Rendon is not in the lineup Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms.

"He's got a little bit what Adam (LaRoche) had in L.A.," Williams said. "He's sick and doesn't feel well. He's been under the weather for a couple of days, really. Last night, it got worse. We just decided to give him a day. He's quarantined in the back and sleeping."

Rendon could pinch-hit if required, but Williams would rather he get a full day off with a long road trip looming.

"He's available," Williams said. "We'd like to stay away from him if at all possible. Keep him off the bench, away from everybody, if we can. He's available, sure."

Ian Desmond will also get the day off due to tightness in his back.

"He's OK. He could've played," Williams said. "Texted me this morning, said he was good. We decided it's probably more important he also gets a day off. He hasn't had many of them. Nip it in the bud and make sure he's good to go for the road trip. So he's getting some (treatment), but he should be fine."

Williams also said he has been impressed by Stephen Strasburg's recent run because he is locating his fastball better in the strike zone and not relying on the strike out too much to get guys out.

"It's really nice to strike guys out and have that, but from a team perspective, I think it's better when he doesn't have as many strikeouts," Williams reasoned. "He's going to get them. It's just kind of the function of his pitches and the way he goes about it. But his pitch count tends to get a little higher a little earlier when he's punching a lot of guys out."

Williams said one of the main reasons why this team has played so well since starting out 35-33 is the players believing they can be a good team.

"It's my opinion anyway that the biggest improvement has come with our guys taking ownership of the way they play the game," Williams said. "That is their DNA."

The Nationals have gone 47-28 since that they were 35-33.