Game 30 lineups: Nats vs. Cards (Soto scratched again)

The Nationals look to salvage the final game of their four-game series with the Cardinals today before they set out on a rigorous 10-game, three-city road trip starting Friday in Philadelphia.

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg (2-1, 3.82 ERA) needs eight strikeouts to reach the 1,500-strikeout plateau. Strasburg is 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA in six starts against St. Louis in his career with 43 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings. He has not faced the Cards since 2016. In his last two starts, Strasburg has pitched 15 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with 20 strikeouts.

St. Louis sends right-hander Dakota Hudson (2-1, 5.63 ERA) to the mound. He is making his initial appearance against the Nats.

Third baseman Howie Kendrick connected on singles in his first three at-bats Wednesday night in a 5-1 loss. He has reached base safely in five of his last six games.

"I don't really like to talk about myself at all, especially when we're not winning ball games," Kendrick said. "It's a team effort. I think as a whole we kind of just haven't gotten it done. Every guy in here is trying. It's not for a lack of effort. Sometimes that's the way the game goes.

"We all want to try to win ball games. We're all trying to do it every day. That's why we are here. Right now, the game is tough and we just need a couple of breaks here and there."

The Nats have lost three in a row and six of their last seven gams, but are 7-2 in series finales.

Juan Soto returns from the back spasms that forced him out of last night's starting lineup.

"He's OK," manager Davey Martinez said. "He had back spasms right before the game and I didn't want to take any chances with him, but hopefully (Thursday) he comes back fine and is ready to go."

Martinez is giving shortstop Carter Kieboom a day off. The young star is 0-for-10 in his last three starts and has had some tough plays not go his way on defense.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Scattered thunderstorms, 85 degrees, 35 percent chance of rain, wind 6 mph out to left field

NATIONALS (12-17)

LF Adam Eaton
RF Victor Robles
3B Howie Kendrick
1B Matt Adams
C Yan Gomes
2B Brian Dozier
SS Wilmer Difo

CF Michael A. Taylor

RHP Stephen Strasburg

CARDINALS (20-10)

2B Kolten Wong
3B Jedd Gyorko
1B Matt Carpenter
LF Marcell Ozuna
RF Tyler O'Neill
CF Harrison Bader
C Matt Wieters
SS Yairo Muñoz
RHP Dakota Hudson

Update: The Nationals announced one hour before first pitch that Soto has been scratched from the lineup again with back spasms. Michael A. Taylor will play center field. Eaton is in left field. Robles moves to right field.

Soto is available off the bench to pinch-hit.

Here is the updated Nationals lineup:

LF Adam Eaton
RF Victor Robles
3B Howie Kendrick
1B Matt Adams
C Yan Gomes
2B Brian Dozier
SS Wilmer Difo
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Stephen Strasburg