Washington Nationals’ lineup for today’s series opener with the Philadelphia Phillies

Juan Soto sat out of the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs, the first time he didn’t start a game since July 4th, but the 19-year-old outfielder was penciled into Washington’s lineup on Sunday before that game was postponed by rain, and he was set to play on Monday as well before the poor condition of the infield dirt in Citizens Bank Park led to the second consecutive postponement for the Nationals.

Soto wrapped up the homestand in D.C. 11 for 30 in eight games (.367/.486/.433) with two doubles, seven walks, and 10 Ks over that stretch, which left him with a .298/.416/.506 line, 21 doubles and 16 home runs in 412 plate appearances so far in his rookie campaign.

He’s now hit safely in 11 of his last 14 games, going 19 for 53 (.358 AVG) with three doubles, a home run, 11 RBIs, 10 walks, and six runs scored over that stretch.

Soto’s 16 home runs are the fourth-most by a teenager in MLB history, tied with Ken Griffey, Jr., behind only Mel Ott (19), Bryce Harper (22), and Tony Conigliaro (24). If he can get back to a .300 AVG for the season, he’d be just the third teenage major leaguer to hit over .300 since 1900, joining Ott (1928) and Edgar Renteria (1996), and if his OBP stays over .400, he would be the first teenager to do so since 1900 as the Nats detailed in the game notes for yesterday’s series opener in CBP.

Also... Soto’s 68 walks are the most by a 19-year old since 1900. So yeah, he’s been pretty impressive.

This afternoon, Soto’s back in the lineup in the first of three in Philadelphia, where he’s 8 for 30 (.267/.353/.600) with a double and three home runs in seven games this season.

And Soto told us recently that Philly was his favorite city he’s visited so far in his rookie campaign.

HERE’S THE NATS’ LINEUP FOR THE SERIES OPENER IN CITIZENS BANK: