WASHINGTON -- It will be a contrast in starting pitchers when the Los Angeles Dodgers begin a three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.Veteran lefty Scott Kazmir (7-3, 4.52) is scheduled to make the start for the Dodgers while hard-throwing Reynaldo Lopez, who appeared in the Futures Game in San Diego, is slated to make his big league debut for the Nationals.Lopez, 22, will take the spot in the rotation of Joe Ross, who has been on the disabled list since July 3 with right shoulder inflammation. The Nationals bypassed Lucas Giolito, who made his big league debut June 28 against the New York Mets, in order to give Lopez a shot.Reynaldos physical, mental and emotional development has been very impressive this year and we are excited about the strides hes made in all areas, according to Mark Scialabba, the director of player development for the Nationals.Lopez began the season at Double-A Harrisburg before he was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse, where he has made two starts. He is 4-5 with a 3.19 ERA in 16 minor league starts this year.The improved feel and action on both his changeup and curveball have added more swings and misses to an already impressive arsenal, Scialabba said.Washington manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that lefty reliever Sammy Solis will go on the disabled list with right knee soreness to clear a roster spot for Lopez.He added that the Nationals decided to go with Lopez over Giolito, who is slated to pitch Tuesday for Syracuse, so Giolito can work on his breaking ball and command in the minors.He will face a Dodgers team that is 52-42 and is 5 1/2 games back of the first-place San Francisco Giants in the National League West.Washington (56-37) was six games ahead of the New York Mets and Miami Marlins in the National League East going into play Monday. The Nationals were off Monday while the Mets and Marlins had games against the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively.The last time the two faced off in late June, the Dodgers swept the Nationals in a three game series in Los Angeles. Kazmir, who has been in the majors since 2004, spent a great deal of time in the American League, thus he has limited exposure to the Nationals.Kazmir holds a 1-0 record and an ERA of 4.14 over three career starts against Washington in his career.Washington left fielder Jayson Werth is hitting .714 with one home run in seven at-bats against Kazmir.Bryce Harper also has a home run against the lefty in three at-bats, and Danny Espinosa has a homer in five at-bats against Kazmir.The Nationals hope that infielder Daniel Murphy returns to the lineup Tuesday. He has not started the last three games due to a hamstring injury. He did hit a pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth Sunday to tie the game at 1-1 while the Nationals lost 2-1 in 18 innings to the Pittsburgh Pirates.Washington also hopes Anthony Rendon, who had the flu and missed the game Sunday, can start at third base against the Dodgers.The Dodgers hope to get back outfielder Joc Pederson, who has been on the disabled list with a right shoulder separation.And of course star lefty Clayton Kershaw is still on the disabled list for the Dodgers.Clayton doesnt pitch every day, manager Dave Roberts told MLB.com after the Dodgers lost Sunday to Arizona. Even without Clayton, were good enough to win baseball games. Were 11-6 since hes been gone. With or without Clayton, we have to continue to get better.Marlins Jerseys China . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Wholesale Marlins Jerseys . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/ . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. Cheap Marlins Jerseys . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. Custom Miami Marlins Jerseys . LOUIS -- St.AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Right now, Aron Baynes is probably best known for his samurai-style haircut.If Andre Drummond misses much more time, Baynes could become known for his rugged play.With Drummond sidelined by a sprained ankle, Baynes had 20 points and eight rebounds to help the Detroit Pistons beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-88 on Monday night.This was because of everyone else, Baynes said. They got me the ball in great position, and all I had to do is finish. They were drawing the defense and I was left with the easy part.Baynes came within a point of his career high and played tough defense on Steven Adams, who had just four points in 29 minutes.As the president of the franchise, I probably shouldnt promote my own players, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. But Aron is a starting center in the NBA. The only reason people dont know that is because weve got an All-Star ahead of him.The Pistons (6-5) improved to 5-0 at home despite being without Drummond and Reggie Jackson, who hasnt played this season due to knee tendinitis.Our defense at home has been great, Van Gundy said. Im not quite sure why we havent been able to duplicate that on the road yet, but were locked in at home.Russell Westbrook had 33 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for Oklahoma City (6-5), which has dropped four in a row. Victor Oladipo finished with nine points, but he was the only other starter to score more than four.Im not worried about our offense -- thats fine, Westbrook said. It is our defense. Weve got to defend at a high level, and were not doing that.Andre Roberson, who finished with four points in 29 minutes, said the Thunders defensive struggles are being amplified by their inability to hit shots.This is a humbling moment for us, he said. Weve got to find a way to get past the lack of jump shots going in.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 17 points for Detroit.The Pistons used their post players to build a 59-47 halftime lead despite Westbrooks 25 points. Oklahoma City missed nine of 10 3-point attempts in the half, and Oladipo went 1 for 7 from the floor.dddddddddddd Harris and Baynes each scored 13 points.Detroit led by as many as 19 in the third, but its reserves didnt have as much success as they had in the first half. The Thunder finished the quarter with a 13-2 run to trail 78-68.Despite Westbrooks best efforts, the Thunder couldnt put together a serious run down the stretch. On several occasions, he was able to pull defenders toward him and find an open teammate, only for them to badly miss the shot.TIP-INSThunder: Westbrook scored Oklahoma Citys last 14 points in the first half. ... Jerami Grant and Enes Kanter combined to hit nine of 16 shots in the first three quarters, helping keep Oklahoma City in the game. ... Westbrook picked up a technical foul in the first half for an accidental low blow against Caldwell-Pope.Pistons: Detroit is the last team in the NBA to be undefeated at home. ... With Drummond sidelined, the Pistons only grabbed one offensive rebound in the first half. ... Baynes got hit on his protective mask by Westbrook late in the fourth, and needed medical attention to stop the bleeding from his previously broken nose. Tonight was my last night with the mask, and it was good to have it on, he said.JUST TOO LATEWestbrook almost had 28 first-half points, but a replay review showed his 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer was still in his hand when time expired.BACK ON THE ROADAfter a four-game road trip, the Pistons were only making a brief stop at home. They play their next two games on the road before coming back to the Palace on Saturday.I thought this was an outstanding homestand, and I cant wait to get back on the road, Van Gundy joked.UP NEXTThunder: Return home to host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.Pistons: Travel to Madison Square Garden to play the Knicks on Wednesday. Detroit beat the Knicks 102-89 on Nov. 1 behind 25 points from Harris. Carmelo Anthony led New York with 24 points. ' ' '