Washington @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 4, 2013 ) Miami 1, Washington 6

The Washington Nationals were swept by the streaking Atlanta Braves and now look to turn their fortunes around when a three-game road series starts Monday against the woeful Miami Marlins. Washington scored just five runs while losing three straight to Atlanta, but the Nationals outscored Miami 11-1 in a season-opening series to start them on a stretch of seven wins in nine games. The Marlins have struggled to score runs during a 2-10 start.

Miami’s offense has been abysmal and the loss of All-Star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to a shoulder injury only worsens matters. Stanton missed the three-game weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies and the Marlins scored just four runs despite winning one of the three games. Miami has scored just 20 runs, fewest in the majors. Washington was routed 9-0 in Sunday’s finale with the Braves. Outfielder Bryce Harper was 1-for-10 against Atlanta and one of several struggling Nationals. Harper was 6-of-12 with two homers in the opening series with Miami.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Washington), Fox Sports Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (2-0, 2.08 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wade LeBlanc (0-2, 3.27)

Zimmermann held Miami to one run over six innings while beating them on April 4. He also pitched well in his last start when he held the Chicago White Sox to two runs in seven innings. Zimmermann is 2-3 with a 4.09 in nine career starts against the Marlins. He has allowed three homers to Stanton in 14 at-bats.

LeBlanc gave up just two earned runs in each of his first two starts but took losses with the Miami bats being quiet. He lost to the Nationals in his first outing and to Atlanta in his second. LeBlanc made nine starts last season and is projected to be a season-long starter for the Marlins. “The more starts you get, the more you get into a routine, the better you are prepared to secure the same stuff from game to game instead of being so up and so down,” LeBlanc said.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami is 1-5 at home and has yet to homer in its own ballpark. The Marlins have just two overall.

2. Nationals 2B Danny Espinosa left Sunday’s game with a sore right wrist after being hit by a pitch from Atlanta’s Paul Maholm.

3. Marlins OF Austin Kearns was scratched Sunday due to an irregular heartbeat and sent to a hospital for further evaluation.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Marlins 1