Lineups: Starting Outfielders Sit Against Kershaw

If you want offensive fireworks, tonight’s game will not be for you. After Bryce Harper injured himself running into the wall last night, he will miss tonight’s game, as will usual center fielder Denard Span, though he will be simply resting. Instead the Nationals will trot out an outfield lineup that would feel at home in AAA Syracuse: Steve Lombardozzi, Eury Perez (Jayson Werth‘s roster replacement while he is on the DL), and Tyler Moore. Their task will be made no easier by the man the Dodgers are putting on the mound: Clayton Kershaw. Last year’s NL Cy Young runner-up is 4th in the NL in ERA and strikeouts, and undoubtedly one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Dodgers are 0-2 in his last two starts, having scored a total of three runs in support of him, even though he has gone seven innings allowing only one run both times. The Nationals send Dan Harento the mound, who may be the anti-Kershaw. He allowed four runs in six innings in his last outing, but the Nats won 5-4. His best start of the year was two starts ago against a potent Atlanta offense, when he went eight innings and allowed only one run, revitalizing the hope that he might yet return to form as the ace he once was, despite his 5.17 ERA. Here are tonight’s lineups:

May 13, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson (5) walks on the field during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Washington

Danny Espinosa 2B

Lombardozzi LF

Ryan Zimmerman 3B

Ian Desmond SS

Adam LaRoche 1B

Moore RF

Wilson Ramos C

Perez CF

Haren RHP

Los Angeles

Carl Crawford LF