Max Scherzer looks to rebound for series sweep (with lineups)

For much of this season, Max Scherzer was the game's most imposing right-hander, tossing a no-hitter and one-hitter in consecutive games. But Scherzer has come back to earth in August. He's 0-1 with a 7.80 ERA while surrendering five home runs over three starts this month.

Scherzer takes the hill tonight aiming to correct his recent troubles and claim the Nationals' first series sweep since July 3-5 over the Giants. The 31-year-old fanned 10 Rockies over six innings but was tagged for three homers, including two by Carlos Gonzalez, in the Nationals' 6-4 loss in D.C. on Aug. 9.

Scherzer has not pitched at Coors Field since 2009, when he was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA in three career starts in Denver.

Anthony Rendon will make his first start of the series after sitting out in favor of Danny Espinosa the past two nights. Rendon is 1-for-14 over his last 4 games and hitting just .208 since returning from the disabled list with strained left quad on July 5.

Rendon is hitting .308 (8-for-26) with two doubles and two RBIs in six career games at Coors Field.

Left-hander Yohan Flande gets a rematch with Scherzer from Aug. 9 at Nationals Park. The 22-year-old allowed three runs, all off the longball, over 4 2/3 innings that afternoon.

Ryan Zimmerman blasted two solo homers off Flande and Jayson Werth added another.

For the Nationals:

LF Jayson Werth
2B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
3B Yunel Escobar
SS Ian Desmond
1B Ryan Zimmerman
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Max Scherzer

For the Rockies:

CF Charlie Blackmon
SS Jose Reyes
RF Carlos Gonzalez
3B Nolan Arenado
1B Ben Paulsen
LF Matt McBride
2B Daniel Descalso
C Dustin Garneau
LHP Yohan Flande