Carlos Gonzalez is back in the lineup, despite departing last night's game early with knee inflammation. That's good news for a Rockies team that needs every offensive weapon at its disposal these days. Remember when four runs was good enough to win a baseball game?
Jorge De La Rosa is starting for the Rockies, their lone veteran stalwart. JDLR has authored three straight quality starts heading into tonight. However, news just broke that his usual backstop, Michael McKenry, is out for the season with a torn meniscus. Nick Hundley will have to get comfortable with De La Rosa. Dustin Garneau, having a solid season in Triple-A, has been called up to replace McKenry.
Other than that, the usual suspects are starting for Colorado. You couldn't give Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMahieu, or Charlie Blackmon a day off if you tried.
Stephen Strasburg is starting for the Nationals. His 4.62 ERA doesn't look so great, but his 10.09 K/9 and sub-3 BB/9 indicates his results should be much better. We all know Strasburg is a stud, with his high-90s heat and four pitch mix. Last week in DC he threw seven innings and struck out twelve Rockies, while allowing just one run.
The Rockies are playing out the string on yet another lost season, but maybe they can show some fight heading into 2016.
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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<th align="left">WASHINGTON NATIONALS</th>
<th align="left">COLORADO ROCKIES</th>
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<tr><td class="td-last td-name">Jayson Werth - LF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Charlie Blackmon - CF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Danny Espinosa - 2B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Jose Reyes - SS</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Bryce Harper - RF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Carlos Gonzalez - RF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Yunel Escobar - 3B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Nolan Arenado - 3B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Ian Desmond - SS</td><td class="td-first td-name">Ben Paulsen - 1B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Ryan Zimmerman - 1B</td><td class="td-first td-name">DJ LeMahieu - 2B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Michael Taylor - CF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Nick Hundley - C</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Wilson Ramos - C</td><td class="td-first td-name">Kyle Parker - LF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Stephen Strasburg - RHP</td><td class="td-first td-name">Jorge De La Rosa - LHP</td></tr></tbody>
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