Game 127 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

It's been a strange, eventful summer for the Nationals, and it has only grown stranger and more eventful in recent days - and that's not going to change tonight. Because in the wake of everything else that has gone on around here lately, Stephen Strasburg is coming back from the disabled list to make only his second start in 2 1/2 months, looking to help the Nats gain another game on the Phillies.

What can we expect from Strasburg? Hard to say. He didn't make a rehab start, only a 70-pitch simulated game one week ago. But given the stakes, the Nationals couldn't afford to wait any longer, so the big righty will be on the mound tonight, presumably with a pitch count looming over his head.

To make room for Strasburg on the 25-man roster, Adrian Sanchez was optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse. Poor Sanchezhad to drive yesterday from Syracuse to D.C., through the rain, with his wife and baby alongside. He arrived during the rain delay, didn't end up appearing in the game and now has to go back.

The Nationals lineup features the now-usual arrangement versus right-hander Zach Eflin, with Wilmer Difo at second base instead of Daniel Murphy, who is leading off tonight in his Cubs debut. Fans may be disappointed to learn that Wilson Ramos again is not in the Phillies lineup. Perhaps The Buffalo will get his chance to play here in Thursday's series finale.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB Network (out of market), MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 81 degrees, wind 12 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS
RF Adam Eaton
SS Trea Turner
CF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Ryan Zimmerman
C Matt Wieters
2B Wilmer Difo
RHP Stephen Strasburg

PHILLIES
2B César Hernández
LF Rhys Hoskins
SS Asdrúbal Cabrera
1B Justin Bour
3B Maikel Franco
RF Nick Williams
C Jorge Alfaro
RHP Zach Eflin
CF Roman Quinn