Nationals’ lineup for second of three with the Phillies + Dusty Baker on finishing strong

With all but seven of their remaining games against NL East opponents, Washington is 36-16 against their divisional rivals after last night’s win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Nationals are 9-4 against the Phillies, 11-2 against the Atlanta Braves, 9-4 against the New York Mets and 7-6 against the Miami Marlins thus far.

Nats’ skipper Dusty Baker talked before last night’s game about the importance of finishing strong in the remaining regular season games.

“Everybody else is playing the NL East too, in our division,” Baker said, “so you’re going to pick up ground or lose ground on somebody every day almost.

“We have played well in the division. We haven’t played well against the [NL] West, for whatever reason. I know the West is full of left-handed hitters and they’ll go through your left-handed side of your bullpen, which is something that we’ll address especially if we have to play the West when we get there.”

Against NL West opponents, the Nationals are 13-16 this season, and they’re 15-15 against the NL Central.

The Nationals look for their 10th in 14 games with the Phillies tonight in Citizens Bank Park, where they’ve won four straight, nine of the last 10 and 12 of the last 14.

Max Scherzer tries to win his 15th game of the season and his third straight start after throwing eight scoreless against the Baltimore Orioles last time out.

Here’s the Nationals’ lineup for the second of three in CBP: