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NEW YORK - First, the Nationals' and Mets' lineups for tonight;
Nationals:
Morgan - CF
Harris - RF
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - 1B
Willingham - LF
Kennedy - 2B
Rodriguez - C
Desmond - SS
Mock - P
Mets:
Pagan - CF
Cora - 2B
Wright - 3B
Bay - LF
Jacobs - 1B
Francoeur - RF
Barajas - C
Tejeda - SS
Pelfrey - P
Now, the different wrinkles they might take through the weekend: Jim Riggleman said pregame he plans to play Cristian Guzman at second base tomorrow, and might even start him in right field on Sunday. That, though, will be dictated somewhat by how healthy Mike Morse is; if he's good to go after straining his left calf, he could start in right this weekend (Morse said today he's feeling much better).
Johan Santana pitches Sunday, though, and is actually tougher on righties than lefties because of his long-revered changeup. So that would be an argument for resting Morse against him.
The other consideration is the sun. The Nationals had some problems in day games at Citi Field last year - in their first trip here, Elijah Dukes lost two fly balls in the sun, shades propped on the brim of his hat. And Ian Desmond had a key misplay in the Nats' trip here last September, when Riggleman put him in right field for the first time. It's a consideration Riggleman will take into account through the weekend.
So the bottom line is: We could see a number of different outfield configurations through the weekend in New York.
I'm making my first appearance of the season on Nats Xtra tonight at 6:35 to discuss some of the lineup swaps and the Nats' bullpen. I'll be back with the live thread after that.
