Game 75 lineups: Nats at Brewers

MILWAUKEE - The Nationals' losing streak has reached a season-worst six games, and the pitcher they turn to in hopes of halting it this afternoon hasn't won a game in his past six starts. But there is cause for hope.

Since beating the Mets at Citi Field on May 18, left-hander Gio Gonzalez is 0-5. He's failed to get to the sixth inning three times in that span, most recently June 19 in San Diego when he gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Today, he'll be donning the uniform of the Homestead Grays as the Nationals and Brewers celebrate Negro Leagues Tribute Day at Miller Park. On the road this season, Gonzalez is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA and he's 2-1 with a 3.62 ERA in five lifetime starts against the Brewers, including a 1-0 mark and 3.00 ERA in two road starts.

Gonzalez likes pitching against National League Central teams, against whom he's 15-7 with a 2.87 ERA.

Current Brewers are slashing .291/.364/.382 versus Gonzalez, but have never touched him for a home run. The guy he doesn't want to face in a big situation is catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who is a lifetime .750 (6-for-8) with three RBIs against him.

The Nats will try to shake off last night's 16-strikeout performance by welcoming back left fielder Jayson Werth to the lineup after he got two days off, taking advantage of Thursday's off-day. Werth is hitting .389 since June 7. Werth has a career .421/.476/.684 slash line against right-hander Matt Garza, who will start for the Brewers.

Catcher Wilson Ramos, coming off a 4-for-5 night, hits Garza at a .385 clip (5-for-13) and both Ramos and Danny Espinosa have five career RBIs against the righty. Yes, you read that right - Ramos is catching Gonzalez instead of Jose Lobaton. When you're mired in a long skid, you don't take your best hitter out of the lineup after a big night.

Current Nats batters have treated Garza rudely, with a lifetime .303/.382/.450 slash line off him. Garza has made just two starts since coming off the disabled list after dealing with a right lat strain.

Perhaps that's why Garza is 0-4 with a 7.17 ERA and 1.832 WHIP in eight career starts against Washington.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee
Gametime: 4:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 869, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 83 degrees, wind 13 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS (43-31)

CF Ben Revere
LF Jayson Werth
RF Bryce Harper
2B Daniel Murphy
C Wilson Ramos
1B Ryan Zimmerman
3B Anthony Rendon
SS Danny Espinosa
LHP Gio Gonzalez

BREWERS (33-40)

SS Jonathan Villar
3B Aaron Hill
LF Ryan Braun
C Jonathan Lucroy
1B Chris Carter
RF Hernan Perez
2B Scooter Gennett
CF Keon Broxton
RHP Matt Garza