Game 102 lineups: Nats vs. Reds

Good morning and welcome to a rare combination around these parts. First, we have a getaway game starting at noon. But even more rare is the Nationals’ chance at a three-game sweep.

Yes, the Nats have not swept a three-game set since mid-May against the Orioles in Baltimore. And their opponent, the Reds, have not been swept at all this year. The Nationals held on after an offensive outburst to win Monday’s series opener. Then they used timely hitting and an impressive collective effort from Brad Lord and a makeshift bullpen to take Game 2 last night.

How will they fare today?

On the bump will be Michael Soroka, who is 3-7 with a 5.10 ERA and 1.147 WHIP in 14 starts. He didn’t get to face the Reds in Cincinnati back in early May, but he was strong in his first start of the second half, holding the Padres to just one run in five innings.

Nick Lodolo will go for Cincy. The southpaw is 7-6 with a 3.33 ERA and 1.082 WHIP in 20 starts this year. But the Nats knocked him around for seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in 5 ⅓ innings on May 3 at Great American Ball Park.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. CINCINNATI REDS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 12:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB Network (out-of-market only), MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7 (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 82 degrees, wind 8 mph from right to left field

REDS
CF TJ Friedl
2B Gavin Lux
SS Elly De La Cruz
DH Austin Hays
RF Jake Fraley
3B Noelvi Marte
C Jose Trevino
LF Will Benson
1B Santiago Espinal

LHP Nick Lodolo

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
LF James Wood
DH Amed Rosario
1B Nathaniel Lowe
RF Alex Call
3B Brady House
2B Luis García Jr.
C Drew Millas
CF Jacob Young

RHP Michael Soroka