The Washington Nationals will field their regular lineup in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants on Friday afternoon, the same batting order they have used for much of the past two months.
The only significant question for the team entering the postseason was whether Ryan Zimmerman would be able to start at third base. He has still not played at third in a game and will be available off the bench Friday.
Manager Matt Williams has stressed the importance of consistency over the course of the year, part of the reason why his lineup Friday was unchanged.
“It’s comfort,” he said late last month. “Denard leading off every day, it’s consistent. Some days he’s going to get hits, and some days he’s not. But that consistency in knowing when you get to the ballpark where you’re going to be and what you’re going to do and preparing for it is important for players. So as much as I can, I want to keep it.”
The full lineups for Friday’s game are below:
Washington Nationals
1. CF Denard Span
2. 3B Anthony Rendon
3. RF Jayson Werth
4. 1B Adam LaRoche
5. SS Ian Desmond
6. LF Bryce Harper
7. C Wilson Ramos
8. 2B Asdrubal Cabrera
9. RHP Stephen Strasburg
San Francisco Giants
1. CF Gregor Blanco
2. 2B Joe Panik
3. C Buster Posey
4. 3B Pablo Sandoval
5. RF Hunter Pence
6. 1B Brandon Belt
7. SS Brandon Crawford
8. LF Travis Ishikawa
9. RHP Jake Peavy
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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