Miami @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Mar 26, 2013 ) Washington 5, Miami 8
There may be no greater disparity between two teams in the National League East than the one that will exist when the Washington Nationals host the Miami Marlins on Monday. The Nationals, fresh off the franchise’s first playoff run since 1981, begin 2013 with sky-high expectations thanks in part to the major’s best record in 2012 and Stephen Strasburg, Monday's starter. Washington also boasts the National League Manager of the Year - 70-year-old Davey Johnson - and NL Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper.
Miami finds itself in the midst of another rebuilding project after last season’s free-agent splurge resulted in a last-place finish in the division, a fire sale that began with Hanley Ramirez being shipped to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline and the dismissal of manager Ozzie Guillen. The Marlins, who also dealt Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, Heath Bell and Emilio Bonifacio in the off-season, will turn to 41-year-old first-time manager Mike Redmond after the ex-Miami catcher spent two years as a minor league skipper in the Toronto Blue Jays' organization.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Miami), MASN (Washington), WUSA 9 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (2012: 12-13, 4.48 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (15-6, 3.16)
Nolasco has seen his strikeout rate worsen for three straight seasons, helping to contribute to his inconsistency last year. Although he recorded three complete games and two shutouts - both tied for second in the NL, he surrendered 214 hits and 95 earned runs (the third- and fourth-highest totals in the NL, respectively). The 30-year-old Nolasco is 11-5 against Washington – the most wins he has against any team in his career.
Strasburg, nearly 20 months removed from Tommy John surgery, will take the mound for the first time in a regular-season game since the team shut him down on Sept. 7 after 159 1/3 innings. Although the San Diego native has struggled against some of the Marlins’ few key hitters such as Giancarlo Stanton (5-for-13) and Juan Pierre (4-for-8), he is 4-2 with a 3.17 ERA over nine career starts against Miami and will look to build upon his impressive 197 strikeouts from last season – good for seventh in the NL.
WALK-OFFS
1. Stanton is the only player that started on Opening Day last season for Miami expected in Monday’s lineup.
2. Strasburg’s final start last season came against the Marlins; he was not involved in the decision in a 9-7, 10-inning loss.
3. Nolasco has more career wins (76) than the rest of the Miami’s projected rotation combined (67).
PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Marlins 2