The Washington Nationals host the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park on Monday, August 24, at 6:45 PM ET, with right-hander Cade Cavalli getting the ball for Washington against Colorado's Ryan Feltner. This is a standard regular season affair between two clubs building toward their respective futures, but for a young Nationals roster loaded with prospects, every game at home is a chance to develop momentum and show what this group is capable of in front of the D.C. faithful. Catch it on Nationals.TV or WJFK 106.7 The Fan.

Pitching Matchup: Cade Cavalli vs. Ryan Feltner

Cavalli remains one of the more intriguing arms in the Nationals organization. After battling injuries early in his career, he has worked his way into Washington's rotation, and nights like this one — a home start at Nationals Park against a Rockies club that is not overwhelming on paper — represent exactly the kind of opportunity he needs to build confidence and log quality innings. The Nationals will need him to work deep into the game and limit traffic, particularly against Colorado's middle of the order.

Feltner takes the mound for Colorado. He is a right-hander who has bounced through Colorado's rotation, and facing a Nationals lineup this deep with young talent is no easy task. Washington will look to make him work early and put crooked numbers on the board.

Washington Nationals Lineup and Keys to Watch

Manager Dave Martinez is sending out a lineup that showcases just how much young talent this organization has accumulated. CJ Abrams leads off as the designated hitter, with Abimelec Ortiz batting second at first base. Dylan Crews hits third in right field, and Daylen Lile slots in fourth in left — two of the more anticipated young outfielders in recent Nationals history sharing the heart of the same lineup is not something fans should take for granted.

Brady House bats fifth at third base, with catcher Keibert Ruiz hitting sixth. Jacob Young, Jorbit Vivas, and Nasim Nuñez round out the bottom of the order at center field, second base, and shortstop, respectively.

• Crews and Lile in the middle of the order: These two need to drive traffic. If Abrams and Ortiz get on base, Washington's third and fourth hitters have to do damage against Feltner.
• Cavalli's command: Coors Field is not in play here — Nationals Park rewards pitching when it's on. Cavalli needs to throw strikes and avoid putting leadoff men on base.
• Bottom-order production: Young, Vivas, and Nuñez form a speedy, scrappy bottom third that can manufacture runs. Getting them on base in front of Abrams is a legitimate formula for crooked innings.

Colorado Rockies Lineup

The Rockies send out Jake McCarthy at the top, with Mickey Moniak hitting second in right field. Willi Castro bats third at third base, and TJ Rumfield anchors cleanup at first. Troy Johnston (DH), Connor Norby (2B), Brett Sullivan (C), Zac Veen (LF), and Ezequiel Tovar (SS) fill out the rest of the order. Tovar, hitting ninth, remains Colorado's most established middle infielder and someone Cavalli cannot afford to underestimate even at the bottom of a lineup.

Prediction

Washington takes this one. A young, energized Nationals lineup at Nationals Park against Colorado's pitching is a matchup that should favor the home side. If Cavalli handles his business through five or six innings and Crews and Lile make noise in the middle of the order, the Nationals have the pieces to win a comfortable game on a Monday night in D.C. Nationals 5, Rockies 3.