The Toronto Blue Jays head to Nationals Park on Monday, July 27, for a 6:45 PM ET showdown with the Washington Nationals. Max Scherzer gets the ball for Toronto against Washington's Andrew Alvarez in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup. The Jays are on the road, looking to pick up a win in the nation's capital, with Sportsnet and SN590 THE FAN carrying the action back to Blue Jays fans across Canada.

Pitching Matchup: Scherzer vs. Alvarez at Nationals Park

Max Scherzer is the story here. The veteran right-hander takes the mound for Toronto, and regardless of where you are in the calendar, watching Scherzer work is appointment baseball. He brings a career's worth of competitive experience to every outing — the kind of pitcher who attacks hitters and demands the game be played at his pace. The Jays will need him sharp against a Washington lineup that has legitimate offensive pieces throughout.

On the other side, Washington counters with Andrew Alvarez. The lefty gets the nod for the Nationals and will be tasked with keeping a Toronto lineup quiet in a ballpark that can play differently depending on the conditions. This is a good test for Alvarez against a Blue Jays club that will make him work.

Washington Nationals Lineup to Watch

The Nationals are sending out a lineup with some genuine talent worth respecting. James Wood leads off from right field — a young player with a big ceiling who can set the table in a hurry. Luis García Jr. bats second at first base, followed by José Tena as the designated hitter in the three hole.

The middle of the order gets serious attention with CJ Abrams hitting cleanup at shortstop and Dylan Crews batting fifth in center field. Both are players who can make a pitcher pay for mistakes. Daylen Lile, Keibert Ruiz, Jorbit Vivas, and Nasim Nuñez round out the bottom half — a lineup that has depth even in the later spots.

Keys to the Game for Toronto

• Scherzer's command: If he's locating his pitches and getting ahead in counts, the Nationals' lineup will have a long night. When Scherzer is on, he's one of the most difficult pitchers in the game to square up.
• Handling Wood and Abrams: James Wood at the top and CJ Abrams in the cleanup spot are the two bats Toronto's pitching staff must neutralize. Both have the ability to change a game with one swing or a big inning.
• Toronto's lineup response: The Jays' lineup has not been posted as of this preview, but however manager-defined the order looks, the club will need to solve Alvarez early. Making him work deep counts and turning the lineup over is always the blueprint against a starter you haven't faced recently.
• Bullpen readiness: Road games put a premium on getting length from your starter. If Scherzer can eat six-plus innings, it keeps the Toronto bullpen fresh for later in the series.

Prediction

Scherzer on the mound is always a reason for optimism. Washington has a lineup with young talent that can be dangerous, but Toronto's ability to send that level of pitching to the mound on any given night is a real advantage. Expect Scherzer to keep the Nationals in check long enough for the Jays offence to find its footing. Blue Jays take this one on the road, 4-2.