Washington @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( May 21, 2016 ) Washington 2, Miami 3

Max Scherzer has struck out 30 batters over his last two outings and attempts to send more frustrated hitters back to the dugout when the Washington Nationals visit the Miami Marlins on Sunday for the finale of their three-game series. Scherzer matched the major-league record of 20 strikeouts against Detroit on May 11 and followed that outing by fanning 10 in 6 1/3 innings against the New York Mets on Tuesday.

One person who might help increase Scherzer's strikeout total is slumping Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who is 0-for-17 with 15 strikeouts over his last five games. Stanton is 4-for-48 with 26 strikeouts over the last 14 contests as his batting average has dropped 64 points to .210. The teams split the first two games of the series, with Miami's 3-2 triumph on Saturday halting the Nationals' three-game winning streak. Washington's Bryce Harper is 3-for-7 in the series but has recorded only two homers and five RBIs this month after having nine blasts and 24 RBIs in April.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN, WUSA 9 (Washington), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (4-3, 4.01 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Adam Conley (3-2, 3.40)

Scherzer has struck out 76 batters - third-most in the major leagues - but has been plagued by the long ball as he has served up 13 homers (tied for most in the majors) in just 58 1/3 innings. He has been reached for eight of those blasts in his last three outings and has given up multiple shots in four of his nine starts. Scherzer is 3-2 with a 3.64 ERA in seven career starts against Miami and has experienced issues retiring Martin Prado (11-for-22, one homer).

Conley has won three of his last four starts, beginning with the effort in which he was pulled after 7 2/3 no-hit frames against Milwaukee on April 29. He has allowed just one run in the three victories during the stretch and hasn't served up a homer in any of the four outings. Conley is 1-1 with a 7.11 ERA in three career starts against Washington and has given up homers to Wilson Ramos (2-for-6, two homers) and Jayson Werth (2-for-6, one homer).

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins OF Ichiro Suzuki went 4-for-4 on Saturday to move 46 hits shy of 3,000.

2. Washington 2B Daniel Murphy was 2-for-4 on Saturday for his 10th multi-hit outing in May and 21st of the season.

3. Miami LF Christian Yelich (back) was scratched Saturday and is considered day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Marlins 1