Washington @ Miami preview
Marlins Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 17, 2013 ) Washington 6, Miami 1
The Washington Nationals hit a bump in the road by dropping three of four to one division rival. The Nationals will look rebound against another on Friday, when they open a three-game set against the host Miami Marlins. Washington's offense failed to show up in Philadelphia, mustering just 10 runs as the third-place Phillies moved within 1 1/2 games of the second-place Nationals in the National League East.
Miami is bringing up the rear if one looks further south in the standings. The Marlins were reeling with five straight losses before posting a 6-2 victory over first-place Atlanta on Wednesday. Miami's task won't get any easier when it faces right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings in a season-opening victory over the Marlins.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSN Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (5-6, 2.45 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 2.55 ERA)
Strasburg pieced together the victory in his last outing despite yielding four runs in six innings against San Diego on Sunday. The fireballer, who struck out nine for the second time in four outings, has fanned more batters (107) than innings pitched (106 1/3). Strasburg owns a 5-2 career mark with a 2.77 ERA in 10 meetings with the Marlins.
Eovaldi settled for his second straight no-decision despite permitting three runs in 6 2/3 innings against St. Louis on Saturday. The 23-year-old has logged at least six frames in all four of his outings since returning from the 60-day disabled list. Eovaldi will be making his first career start against Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington RF Jayson Werth, who is riding an eight-game hitting streak, has six hits and five runs scored in his last four contests versus Miami.
2. Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton is mired in a 4-for-28 slump, but he has enjoyed success versus Strasburg. He has a homer and four doubles among his six hits against the hurler.
3. Washington has won five of the six meetings between the division rivals this season.
PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Marlins 1