Game 81 lineups: Nats at Tigers

DETROIT - The Nationals are back at .500 for the first time since April 23. In that timeframe, they have played 58 games and fell as many as 12 games under .500 (19-31). They were 10 games out of first place on May 25 and have trimmed the deficit to seven games with nine games remaining until the All-Star break.

The Nats have matched the Dodgers as the hottest team in the National League, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. Washington are 2 1/2 games back of the NL wild card. At the end of tonight's game, the Nats will be finished with half of their regular season schedule.

Tonight they visit Comerica Park for the first time since 2013.

Right-hander Aníbal Sánchez (3-6, 4.02 ERA) opposes Tigers left-hander Daniel Norris (2-6, 4.69 ERA).

It is a homecoming for Sánchez, who pitched in 151 games for the Tigers from 2012-2017, going 46-49 with a 4.43 ERA.

This weekend also marks a homecoming for right-hander Max Scherzer. It is also a reunion with former Nats right-hander Jordan Zimmermann. The pair will face off in Sunday's finale and are the only two pitchers in Nationals history to have thrown no-hitters. Scherzer has thrown two, one at Nats Park and one at Citi Field, while Zimmermann's gem occurred on the final day of the 2014 season. Scherzer pitched for Detroit from 2010-2014 and sports a stunning 46-13 (.780) record at Comerica Park.

Similar to Scherzer, Sánchez, 35, has come on strong the last month. In May and June, Sánchez has posted a 3-2 record with a 2.50 ERA in 39 2/3 innings with 38 strikeouts, 11 walks and a WHIP of 1.03.

Norris, 26, has not won a game since May 12. He got knocked around in his last start, an 8-3 loss at Cleveland on June 23. He pitched seven innings, allowing six runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and no walks. This is also his first matchup against the Nationals. He is 4-14 with a 5.29 ERA in 31 games at Comerica Park.

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman has completed his rehab assignment and has been reinstated from the injured list. He's the designated hitter tonight, hitting sixth. Outfielder Michael A. Taylor was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg. Zimmerman has been out since April 28 with right foot plantar fasciitis and has missed 53 games.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at DETROIT TIGERS
Where: Comerica Park
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 88 degrees, 15 percent chance of rain, winds 10 mph towards right field

NATIONALS (40-40)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Howie Kendrick
DH Ryan Zimmerman
C Kurt Suzuki
2B Brian Dozier
CF Victor Robles

RHP Aníbal Sánchez

TIGERS (26-50)

CF Victor Reyes

RF Nicholas Castellanos

DH Miguel Cabrera

LF Christin Stewart

1B Brandon Dixon

3B Jeimer Candelario

SS Niko Goodrum

2B Harold Castro

C Bobby Wilson

LHP Daniel Norris