Game 68 lineups: Nats at Mets

NEW YORK - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg looks to provide the Nationals with a series win at Citi Field in today's late afternoon matchup. Strasburg has a 7-4 record with a 2.64 ERA against the Mets in 13 career starts.

Despite winning the first five games this season against the Mets at Citi Field, Friday's winning pitcher Max Scherzer is taking nothing for granted in the National League East race.

"It doesn't matter," Scherzer said of the 10-plus-game lead over the Mets. "They're too good of a team. If we don't take care of business - it's all on us. We got to go out there and keep playing great baseball, so forget the standings."

Scherzer said the club didn't play well after the West Coast trip at home. But now they are finding their rhythm again on the road where they have won 10 of their last 12 games.

Is it something about playing at Citi Field?

"No. We just play good baseball. I think we hit a little funk there at home," Scherzer said. "Just for whatever reason, we didn't play well as a team. I think everyone had a hand in why we didn't. And we get back on the road, we've played really good ball on the road. We've been some road warriors. That West Coast trip we took care of business. And we're off to a good start here, taking two from a division rival. So that's really important."

The Mets counter with Seth Lugo, who is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA.

The Nationals move Anthony Rendon to the No. 2 hole and Adam Lind will play left field. Jose Lobaton catches, giving Matt Wieters a day off. Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman flip-flop in the lineup.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at NEW YORK METS
Where: Citi Field
Gametime: 4:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, WUSA-TV 9, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, XM 184/Internet (Nationals broadcast) 869, MLB.com
Weather: Cloudy, 75 degrees, 15 percent chance of rain, wind 10 mph in from left field

NATIONALS (41-26)
SS Trea Turner
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
2B Daniel Murphy
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Adam Lind
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Jose Lobaton
RHP Stephen Strasburg

METS (30-36)
CF Michael Conforto
LF Yoenis Céspedes
RF Jay Bruce
3B Wilmer Flores
1B Lucas Duda
2B T.J. Rivera
SS José Reyes
C René Rivera
RHP Seth Lugo