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Spring Training 2013: Washington Nationals vs New York Mets - Grapefruit League Finale GameThread

The Washington Nationals and New York Mets meet this afternoon in the Grapefruit League finale with Gio Gonzalez on the mound for the Nats in the next-to-last game of the Spring. On Monday it's for reals. One more game that doesn't count today in Florida and then one in D.C. against the Yankees. Then it's Opening Day in D.C.

By Patrick Reddington
USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals wrap up Grapefruit League action this afternoon with Gio Gonzalez on the mound against the New York Mets in Viera, Florida's Space Coast Stadium at 1:05 pm EST. The game is on MLB.tv and it's also being shown on ESPN and you can watch that feed HERE if you're not an MLB.tv subscriber. After sitting with a sore thumb yesterday, Bryce Harper's back in the lineup for the Spring finale. Jayson Werth's sitting, however, though he's reportedly going to be in the lineup tomorrow afternoon when the Nats return to the nation's capital to take on the New York Yankees in the final exhibition game before Monday's season opener.

Gio Gonzalez rep'd the US in the WBC earlier this month, but in Grapefruit League action, the 2012 21-game winner has posted a 1.93 ERA over four starts and 14.0 IP in which he's allowed 12 hits, four walks and three runs, all earned, while striking out nine and holding opponents to a .231 BAA. The Nats' 27-year-old left-hander will have most of the Nats' OD lineup (-Werth) backing him up at the start of today's game. The Nationals' announced the lineup for the final game in Florida via Twitter this morning:

Will it be Kurt Suzuki or Wilson Ramos behind the plate on Opening Day? That's one of two decisions still to be announced. The other has to do with the last bullpen spot, and Davey Johnson hinted this morning in his pregame meeting with reporters that the decision on that matter has been made:

As CSN Washington's Mr. Zuckerman reported, however, that depends upon the health of Henry Rodriguez's elbow. If he lands on the DL, J.C. Romero might find himself on the Opening Day roster of the defending NL East Champions. We'll find out on Monday if not before then. Before that there's one more day of Grapefruit League play. And it starts at 1:05 pm EST this afternoon on MLB.tv and ESPN. Who's Watching the Nationals?

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