WASHINGTON -- Even with the NL East already won, the end of the regular season is turning into a logistical headache for the Washington Nationals. The rainout of Wednesday nights game against the New York Mets will force Nationals to play consecutive, day-night doubleheaders at home, against the Mets on Thursday and the Miami Marlins on Friday. That means one less day to find playing time for Ryan Zimmerman before the regular season ends, and one more challenge of keeping everyone else fresh over a six-game, four-day stretch Washington then has four days off before beginning post-season play. "Its not ideal for sure, but we cant do much about the weather," manager Matt Williams said. "Were not the only team thats had to play doubleheaders this year. Weve got to deal with it." The Mets will begin a three-game home series Friday against Houston to wrap their season. Washingtons Blake Treinen (2-3, 1.94) will start the Thursday afternoon game against Dillon Gee (7-8, 3.88), before the Nationals Gio Gonzalez (9-10, 3.74) faces Zack Wheeler (11-10, 3.49) later that evening. Williams said hell use expanded rosters to try to rest all his players for at least one game each day despite trying to clinch the NLs best record. Zimmerman was scheduled to play left field Wednesday in his second start since straining his right hamstring in late July. He made his first start since the injury Saturday but was reduced to a pinch-hitting role Tuesday after being expected to start at third. "Were being cautious in that regard," Williams said before Wednesdays washout. "He can monitor his gait and things like that in the outfield." Even if Zimmerman doesnt feel healthy enough to play regularly at first, third, or left, Williams suggested he would still be seriously considered for Washingtons playoff roster. Zimmerman is batting .286 with 37 RBIs in 55 games this season. "He provides so much for our team," Williams said. "If hes able to play, and he feels good about it, and there are no limitations, then he has those three particular places he can play within any given game. If he isnt, then hes very valuable off the bench." Nationals centre fielder Denard Span wasnt going to play regardless of Wednesdays weather following his tumbling catch in the third inning of Tuesdays 4-2 win over New York. Span didnt sustain any structural damage to his knee on the play, but remains sore, Williams said. He could play in one the Nationals two games Thursday. "No need to push it, for sure, right now," Williams said of Span, who leads the club with a .300 batting average and 31 steals. GOING FORWARD The Nationals will start RHPs Doug Fister (15-6, 2.55) and Taylor Hill (0-0, 4.15) in Fridays doubleheader. The order of their starts will be decided tomorrow, Williams said. Hill is being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse for the start, and has been pitching in instructional league, Williams said. Stephen Strasburg (13-11, 3.23 ERA) will start Saturday, would give him five days rest before Game 1 of the NLDS, should he start it. ONE MORE DAY With the rainout, the Mets (76-81) avoided clinching a sixth consecutive sub-.500 season for at least another day. Their most wins during that stretch was 79 in 2010. SOUZA A MINORS KEY The Nationals said OF Steven Souza Jr. was the clubs minor league player of the year. He batted .350 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs in 98 games with Triple-A Syracuse while also playing in 17 games with Washington across four months. TRAINERS ROOM Mets: C Travis dArnaud sustained an unspecified injury Tuesday, was left out of Wednesdays lineup, and could miss both games of Thursdays doubleheader. "Hes going to stay here today and tomorrow but hes going to be looked at tonight," said Mets manager Terry Collins, who declined to disclose the exact nature of those ailments. "Im sure when we get home hell be seen by our guys." Nationals: Williams said RHP Jordan Zimmermann will be pushed back to start Sundays regular season finale against Miami. Zimmermann was drilled in the throwing shoulder by Casey McGehees line drive Saturday, but should be fine with the extra rest, Williams said. Kris Bryant Cubs Jersey . On July 27 cyclings best-known race will host "La Course by Le Tour de France" -- a one-day womens competition staged hours before Tour riders race on the same circuit to finish the three-week event on Paris Champs-Elysees. Yu Darvish Cubs Jersey . Im very excited about the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference with amazing match-ups, as well as the wonderful local story in the Toronto Raptors. It should be a blast. Here are my predictions, but based upon my lousy prognostications during the NCAA Tournament, you might be better off going the other way on some of mine - particularly with the Raptors, who I hope and pray are able to win an incredibly difficult match-up. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/cubs-andre-dawson-jersey/ . This week they discuss Russias mens hockey team, the ineptitude of the IOC handling the Nicklas Backstrom situation, John Tortorellas many apologies, and Canadas strong showing in curling. Joe Maddon Jersey . Meeks has agreed to a $19.5 million, three-year deal with Detroit, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday night. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because free agents cant sign contracts until the leagues moratorium ends July 10, also said Cartier Martin had agreed to a one-year contract with the rebuilding franchise. Daniel Descalso Jersey . Among the teams moves was trading one of the teams two third round picks, no. 83 overall, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brandon Bollig, a six-foot-two, 223-pound left-winger who had seven goals, seven assists, and 92 penalty minutes in 82 games last season.The Winnipeg Jets are in Buffalo for a 6pm ct face off tonight against the Sabres. Fans in the Jets viewing region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 5:30pm ct and listeners can tune in to TSN Radio 1290 Winnipeg. The (15-15-5) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 35 points. Fifth-place Dallas and sixth-place Nashville also have 35 points, however the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while the Predators have two. 23-year-old forward Eric ODell was recalled this morning from the AHLs St. Johns IceCaps. He has 29 points (12 goals and 17 assists) in 28 games with the IceCaps. James Wright is a game-time decision due to the flu. Ondrej Pavelec (100-13-4, 2.dddddddddddd85, .909) will start in goal. Winnipeg has scored five power-play goals in the last four games. Buffalo is coming off a 2-1 overtime loss at home against Calgary Saturday. They have just one win in their last six games. The (7-23-3) Sabres are last in the Atlantic Division with 17 points and trail the seventh-place Panthers by 12 points. The Sabres added forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the AHLs Rochester Americans. Porter is expected to play tonight. Buffalo has scored 51 goals this season, which is an average of 1.5 per game. They are winless in 20 games when trailing after 40 minutes. ' ' '