Grapefruit League GameThread: Nationals at Astros from Kissimmee

The bus for Kissimmee, Florida's Osceola County Stadium left at 9:00 AM according to the note on the lineup card that was posted in Viera, Florida's Space Coast Stadium. This afternoon, at 1:05 PM EDT, the Washington Nationals battle the Houston Astros in Grapefruit League action with Gio Gonzalez on the mound against 'Stros' righty Collin McHugh.

The action is being broadcast live on the MLB Network (and MLB.tv) as the Nationals try to avoid their third straight tie game.

Gonzalez makes his third start of the Spring after giving up two hits, four walks and four runs, two earned, last time out in his start against the Detroit Tigers. The left-hander was less than efficient, throwing a total of 60 pitches in 2 ⅔ innings.

The lineup behind him is a travel lineup for sure which features Danny Murphy at first base for the first time this Spring.

Murphy, who has started 171 games at first in his career, started 14 games there last season in New York. Dusty Baker told reporters this morning he just wanted to get a look at Murphy at first.

Ryan Zimmerman, who is not traveling with the team today, is expected to make his first start at first base tomorrow afternoon after he made his 2016 Grapefruit League debut (as the DH) this weekend.

With Murphy at second base, Scott Sizemore is at second with Danny Espinosa at short and Stephen Drew at third base.

Here's the entire lineup Nationals' skipper Dusty Baker is sending out against the Astros:

1. Danny Espinosa - SS
2. Daniel Murphy - 1B
3. Jayson Werth - DH
4. Michael Taylor - CF
5. Matt den Dekker - RF
6. Stephen Drew - 3B
7. Scott Sizemore - 2B
8. Pedro Severino - C
9. Tony Campana - LF
10. Gio Gonzalez - P