The Washington Nationals welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to Nationals Park on Saturday, July 25, with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET. Foster Griffin gets the ball for Washington against Arizona's Mitch Bratt in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup featuring two arms with something to prove. With the regular season in full swing, every game at Nationals Park carries real stakes for a Nationals roster loaded with young talent pushing to establish itself in the National League.

Pitching Matchup: Foster Griffin vs. Mitch Bratt

Foster Griffin draws the start for the Nationals. The left-hander has been part of Washington's pitching mix this season, and Saturday represents another opportunity to build on his body of work and give the Nats a quality start against a legitimate offensive lineup. Arizona counters with Mitch Bratt, another young arm who will be tested by a Washington order that has real pop from top to bottom.

Washington Nationals Lineup to Watch

Manager Dave Martinez is sending out one of the more exciting young lineups in the National League. James Wood leads things off at DH — a physically imposing presence at the top of the order who can set the tone early. Curtis Mead slots in at third base and bats second, giving Washington a dangerous one-two punch before the lineup gets to the meat of the order.

Andrés Chaparro hits third at first base, with CJ Abrams anchoring the cleanup spot at shortstop. Abrams has the tools to be the most dangerous hitter in this lineup on any given night. Dylan Crews follows in right field batting fifth, with Jacob Young in center, Daylen Lile in left, Nasim Nuñez at second base, and Keibert Ruiz rounding things out behind the plate. This is a lineup built around athleticism and emerging power.

Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup: A Veteran Threat

The Diamondbacks bring a lineup with considerably more established names. Corbin Carroll leads off in right field and remains one of the tougher outs in the National League. Geraldo Perdomo hits second at shortstop, with Gabriel Moreno at DH and Ketel Marte — one of the game's most consistent hitters — batting cleanup at second base.

Nolan Arenado, a future Hall of Famer now in an Arizona uniform, bats sixth at third base and gives the D-backs a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat even from the back half of the lineup. Tim Tawa, James McCann, and Ryan Waldschmidt complete Arizona's nine.

Keys to the Game

• Griffin's command: If Griffin can establish his fastball early and keep Carroll and Marte in check, Washington has a real shot to control the game. Anything less and the D-backs have the lineup to make him pay quickly.
• James Wood setting the table: When Wood gets on base and puts pressure on opposing pitchers from the leadoff spot, this Washington lineup flows. His at-bat quality against Bratt will be worth watching from the first inning on.
• CJ Abrams in the clutch: Batting cleanup, Abrams is being asked to be the middle-of-the-order force this team needs him to be. Big spots will come his way Saturday.
• Handling Arenado: Even hitting sixth, Nolan Arenado is not someone Washington's bullpen can take lightly. His ability to do damage in run-scoring situations is well established.
• Keibert Ruiz's pitch framing: Against a lineup with Carroll and Marte, Ruiz's ability to frame borderline pitches and manage Griffin through the Arizona order could be quietly decisive.

Prediction

This is a genuine test for Washington. The Diamondbacks carry more proven offensive names, and Arenado and Marte alone make Arizona dangerous in any game. But Nationals Park will be rocking on a Saturday afternoon, and this Nationals lineup has enough young firepower to put runs on the board against a Bratt who is still finding his footing. If Griffin gives Washington five solid innings and the middle of the order — Chaparro, Abrams, and Crews — does damage, the Nats can take this one. Nationals 5, Diamondbacks 3.