Preview And Lineups: Spring Training Game 11 | Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies

After a big win yesterday, the Washington Nationals look to Stephen Strasburg today against the Philadelphia Phillies and Roy Halladay. An Opening Day pitching match up but, aside from a few regulars on either side (well, mostly the Phillies side) a Spring Training lineup.

Mar 2, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) is congratulated by Nationals third base coach Trent Jewett (44) after hitting a home run against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

The shortstops in today’s game? Yuniesky Betancourt and Anthony Rendon. One of them is the worst defensive shortstop in recent memory. The other one has hardly played the position. I think this is an on-going search to see what Rendon can do around the infield. Shortstop is a weird place for him given that the team already has Ian Desmond, but if Rendon can play every infield position, that raises his value in a bench role if he gets called up and position flexibility is never a bad thing.

The game is televised so it will be interesting to see how Rendon handles the spot. He handled the position in backup duty a few days ago but obviously the start there today means that this is something the Nationals are thinking of short-to-long term.

Chris Marrero and Carlos Rivero also get another shot at trying to get a bench role on the team, or at least be on that emergency call-up list.

Game time is 1:05 and is not available on Washington TV but the game is available on MLB.tv

Washington Nationals (5-3)
Denard Span CF
Steve Lombardozzi 2B
Anthony Rendon SS
Tyler Moore DH
Corey Brown RF
Chris Marrero 1B
Carlos Rivero LF
Matt Skole 3B
Jhonatan Solano C
P: Stephen Strasburg

Philadelphia Phillies (5-5)
Ben Revere CF
Michael Young 3B
Chase Utley 2B
Ryan Howard 1B
Domonic Brown LF
Laynce Nix DH
John Mayberry RF
Tommy Joseph C
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
P: Roy Halladay