After three straight rain-delayed games in Cincinnati, the Nationals return home to … more rain.

Yes, the weather for tonight’s series opener against the Guardians does not look promising, with thunderstorms projected to hit the area all night. The good news is this is the first game of this three-game set. The two teams play again tomorrow night and are scheduled to play a 12:05 p.m. game on Wednesday, leaving plenty of room for a possible doubleheader.

And although they would prefer not to lose an off-day, neither team is scheduled to play on Thursday, so could play each other then if need be.

Jake Irvin is slated to make his eighth start of the season tonight, bringing a 2-1 record, 4.01 ERA and 1.125 WHIP to the mound. After a stretch of three consecutive strong outings, the right-hander was roughed up in his last start, allowing six runs in six innings against the Phillies.

Luis Ortiz will take the mound for the Guardians. The 26-year-old right-hander is 2-3 with a 4.78 ERA and 1.406 WHIP in his first six starts with Cleveland since being acquired via trade in the offseason.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

Where: Nationals Park

Gametime: 6:45 p.m. EDT

TV: MASN, MLB.tv

Radio: 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7 (Spanish), MLB.com

Weather: Scattered thunderstorms, 71 degrees, wind 9 mph from right to left field

NATIONALS

SS CJ Abrams

LF Alex Call

DH James Wood

1B Nathaniel Lowe

C Keibert Ruiz

2B Luis García Jr.

RF Dylan Crews

3B José Tena

CF Jacob Young

RHP Jake Irvin

GUARDIANS

LF Steven Kwan

2B Daniel Schneemann

3B José Ramírez

DH Kyle Manzardo

1B Carlos Santana

C Bo Naylor

SS Gabriel Arias

RF Nolan Jones

CF Angel Martínez

RHP Luis Ortiz