Mets will bat pitcher eighth tonight against Nationals

The Mets released their lineup for their second game of the season, predominantly sticking to Opening Day's formula with one small alteration: starting pitcher Jacob deGrom will hit in the eighth, and shortstop Wilmer Flores has droped to the bottom of the order. Here's the lineup:

Curtis Granderson - RF
David Wright - 3B
Lucas Duda - 1B
Michael Cuddyer - LF
Daniel Murphy - 2B
Juan Lagares - CF
Travis d'Arnaud - C
Jacob deGrom - SP
Wilmer Flores - SS

On Opening Day, Bartolo Colon batted ninth in the Mets' 3-1 victory over the Nationals. While the veteran has become a punchline at the plate, deGrom can handle the stick, as he had 10 hits in 53 plate appearances last year.

Washington, who will send Jordan Zimmermann to the mound tonight, won't make any other changes to its injury-depleted starting squad. Here's their lineup:

Michael Taylor - CF
Yunel Escobar - 3B
Bryce Harper - RF
Ryan Zimmerman - 1B
Wilson Ramos - C
Ian Desmond - SS
Dan Uggla - 2B
Tyler Moore - LF
Jordan Zimmermann - SP

Alhough Harper is Washington's only left-handed hitter, the righty-heavy lineup shouldn't pose problems for the defending National League Rookie of the Year. Last year, opposing righties had just a .594 OPS against deGrom.