NATS GAME NIGHT, GAME 66*: Blue Jays at Nats--Starting Lineups

Fresh on the heels of a series victory over the Evil Empire, and rocking a two-game winning streak for the first time since early May, the Nats come home to start a six-game homestand against two more teams from the AL East.

This weekend, DC plays host to the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto is currently third in the AL East, and had been slumping with the bats until their recently concluded series against Philadelphia.

The Blue Jays have at least 12 hits in each of their last three games and batted .333 in their three wins over the Phillies. Toronto had hit .205 during its previous four consecutive losses.

The Jays are led on offense by OF Adam Lind (.308, 14 HRs, 48 RBI) and 2B Aaron Hill (.308, 15 HRs, 47 RBI).

Their pitching has fairly decimated by injury, with five starting pitchers on the disabled list. The most recent to suffer that fate is perennial Cy Young candidate Roy Halladay, who pulled a groin muscle in his last start. He's been placed on the 15-day DL and will miss the series.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (37-31, 3rd in AL East--4 games back; three-game win streak)

Scutaro - SS
Hill - 2B
Wells - CF
Rolen - 3B (10-for-22 (.455) in last ten games)
Lind - LF
Rios - RF
Overbay - 1B
Barajas - C
Tallet - P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (18-46, 5th in NL East--18 games back; two-game winning streak)

Guzman - SS
Johnson - 1B
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - LF (7-for-19 (.368) in last ten games)
Dukes - RF
Bard - C
Harris - CF
Hernandez - 2B
Zimmermann - P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Jordan Zimmermann (57.0 IP, 2-3, 5.37 ERA, 60 Ks, 16 BBs)
TOR: Brian Tallet (77.2 IP, 4-4, 4.87 ERA, 58 Ks, 35 BBs)

WEATHER

Mild and muggy, chance of passing shower or t-storm. Game time 82F, final out 77F. Chance of rain 20%.