Carlos Beltran (pictured) is sitting out tonight’s series finale with the Nationals at Shea between Nelson Figueroa and Washington’s John Lannon.

Beltran has a stiff neck but believes he’ll play tomorrow against the Phillies in Philadelphia. Angel Pagan is starting in place of Beltran in center field, while Brady Clark is in left in his first start of the season.

Also, Brian Schneider is off but just getting a rest. Actually, it’s worth wondering if Casanova is catching because he caught Figueroa last time, and that night he pitched well. But Willie Randolph insisted that wasn’t the case.

The Mets are probably planning on having Schneider catch all three games against the Phillies this weekend, so that may be why Casanova is in there tonight.

Meanwhile, no Paul Lo Duca again for Washington. He hasn’t played in this series yet because of a hand injury.

Here are the lineups for the 4-11 Nationals and 8-6 Mets:

Guzman SS

Belliard 2B

Zimmerman 3B

Johnson 1B

Milledge CF

Kearns RF

Pena LF

Nieves C

Lannan LHP

Reyes SS

Church RF

Wright 3B

Delgado 1B

Pagan CF

Clark LF

Casanova C

Castillo 2B

Figueroa RHP