Volquez v Fister, Lineup, Morton on DL, Morel Back, Barmes Close

Edinson Volquez (10-7, 3.67) finishes the Nat series this afternoon against Doug Fister (12-3, 2.34).

Eddie has been pretty steady. He's the team’s only 10-game winner, his 3.67 ERA is tops among the starters, and has won six of his last seven decisions with three straight road victories. His biggest problem early on was homers, but he hasn't given up more than one in a game since late May and just six in his last 15 outings.

He's just 2-2 with a 5.47 ERA in five career starts against Washington, but won a 3-1 decision earlier in the year. This will be his first appearance at Nationals Park.

Doug Fister has been the Nat's ace. He leads the team with 12 wins, a 2.34 ERA and 1.066 WHIP. The righty works quick, throws strikes, and does all the little things well, so the Bucs will have their work cut out for them today.

In three starts against Pittsburgh, he's 1-1 with a 1.47 ERA, and though he's not a big strikeout guy, he's K'ed 23 Bucs in 18-1/3 frames.

The lineup: Gregory Polanco RF, Josh Harrison SS, Neil Walker 2B, Russ Martin C, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Marte Starling CF, Travis Snider LF, Ike Davis 1B and Volquez P. The Kid is back, and Ike has been dropped to the bottom of the order.

The game starts at 5:05 and be aired on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

• The Pirates have placed Charlie Morton on the 15-day DL (retro to 8/16) with right hip inflammation. Brent Morel was recalled from Indy. Morel got the call to bulk up the infield and help cover whatever time Jordy misses with his forearm issue. That also clears Wednesday's start against the Braves, Morton's scheduled spot, for Gerrit Cole's return to action.
• Even-Steven: The Bucs and Nats have matched up pretty well over the past couple of seasons. Today's game will determine the season series, which is tied at 3-3. Last year the Pirates took the season set four games to three.
• Clint Barmes should be back next week, and hopefully that will help the Pirate bench solidify a bit. It's sometimes hard to appreciate Clint until you see what the garden variety journeyman infielder - Michael Martinez, Brent Morel, Jayson Nix - bring to the table.