Day 20: Nationals @ Cardinals

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

UPDATED (9:21 am): Though Carlos Beltran was in the lineup posted in the clubhouse this morning, he is not playing. He is still bothered by his small right toe, which was hit by a pitch in Thursday’s game. Beltran is receiving treatment on the toe today and still plans to leave for the World Baseball Classic on Sunday.

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Carlos Beltran returns to the lineup today in what will be his last start before departing for the World Baseball Classic. The other three Cardinals’ Classic participants should see game action today. Yadier Molina is catching and hitting fifth. Mitchell Boggs and Fernando Salas are slated to pitch in relief. They all leave Sunday to head out to their Classic destinations.

Also, today marks the first meeting between the Cards and Nats since an epic elimination game in the National League Division Series. Adam Wainwright and Gio Gonzalez started that Game 5 last October. The two are starting against each other again today with not so much at stake.

CARDINALS LINEUP:

1. Jon Jay (CF)
2. Carlos Beltran (RF) Oscar Taveras
3. Matt Holliday (LF)
4. Allen Craig (DH)
5. Yadier Molina (C)
6. David Freese (3B)
7. Daniel Descalso (2B)
8. Ty Wigginton (1B)
9. Ronny Cedeno (SS)

Pitchers: Adam Wainwright, Shelby Miller, Mitchell Boggs, Fernando Salas, Barret Browning, Kevin Siegrist, Michael Blazek, Eric Fornataro

NATIONALS LINEUP:

1. Danny Espinosa (DH)
2. Steve Lombardozzi (2B)
3. Ian Desmond (SS)
4. Tyler Moore (LF)
5. Kurt Suzuki (C)
6. Chris Marrero (1B)
7. Corey Brown (CF)
8. Anthony Rendon (3B)
9. Eury Perez (RF)

Pitchers: Gio Gonzalez

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