Game 81: Phillies at Nats

The Nationals try to bounce back from Tuesday's gut-punch loss, with a new face on the mound to start tonight's game: Carson Palmquist

Tuesday night’s loss was as tough a gut punch as the Nationals have experienced this season. Now they attempt to pick themselves up off the mat and do what they’ve done after pretty much all of their other gut-punch losses this season and win the next day.

Blake Butera admitted Tuesday night they’ve been going all-in to try to win every game this series, and in that vein they’re pulling out all the stops tonight with a brand-new face on the mound to start the game: Carson Palmquist. Who? He’s a 25-year-old left-hander who made nine appearances (seven starts) for the Rockies last season and then was acquired by the Nats for cash last month. He’s been at Triple-A Rochester since, pitching mostly in relief and posting a 3.27 ERA and 0.727 WHIP across 11 innings.

The plan (we presume): Palmquist serves as the left-handed opener tonight, facing the top of the Phillies lineup in the first (and maybe second) inning before handing it over to bulk guy Miles Mikolas. This would also free up PJ Poulin to be used later in the game for matchup purposes, something that could’ve come in handy Tuesday night. Will the plan work? Stay tuned.

The Nationals can help their cause by enjoying another big night at the plate. They’ll be facing veteran Aaron Nola, who over the last two seasons has proven himself to no longer be the reliable workhorse he previously was for so long. Some good news: CJ Abrams is back in the lineup after sitting out Tuesday’s game with left side tightness. The shortstop went through a full pregame workout before the decision was made, leading to a late lineup announcement.

And finally, a brief pregame news item to share: The Nats have claimed right-hander Justin Lawrence off outright waivers from the Twins and designated Double-A right-hander Jhancarlos Lara for assignment. Lawrence, 31, has 229 games of MLB experience with the Rockies, Pirates and Twins, owner of a 5.37 ERA, 1.598 WHIP and 14 saves. He’s expected to join the bullpen within the next few days, with another roster move needed to clear a spot for him.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:45 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Clear, 81 degrees, 7 mph out to right

PHILLIES
SS Trea Turner
LF Brandon Marsh
DH Bryce Harper
1B Alec Bohm
2B Bryson Stott
C JT Realmuto
RF Gabriel Rincones Jr.
3B Edmundo Sosa
CF Justin Crawford

RHP Aaron Nola

NATIONALS
RF James Wood
1B Luis García Jr.
DH José Tena
SS CJ Abrams
LF Daylen Lile
CF Dylan Crews
3B Jorbit Vivas
C Drew Millas
2B Nasim Nuñez

LHP Carson Palmquist