Washington @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 12, 2013 ) Washington 3, Miami 8

This is not how the Washington Nationals intended to head into the All-Star break. The team has lost four of its last five contests to fall six games behind first-place Atlanta in the National League East, and ace Stephen Strasburg turned in the worst start of his career in Friday’s 8-3 series-opening loss to the Miami Marlins. Right-hander Dan Haren will attempt to stop the slide on Saturday, when he aims for his first win since May 9.

While the Nationals have been one of the more disappointing teams of the first half, the Marlins have turned things around after a dismal start. Miami is 21-16 since May 31, and young starting pitchers Jose Fernandez, Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob Turner and Henderson Alvarez have given fans reason for optimism. Alvarez will start in Sunday’s series finale in place of Kevin Slowey in order to receive an extra outing before the All-Star break.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Dan Haren (4-10, 6.00 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (5-5, 2.83)

Haren came off the disabled list on Monday and held the Philadelphia Phillies to two runs over five innings while striking out seven. It marked an encouraging return for the veteran right-hander, who allowed two runs or fewer in a start for the first time since May 30. Haren yielded seven runs (three earned) over 4 1/3 innings against Miami on April 16.

The 20-year-old Fernandez, who is the youngest All-Star in franchise history, leads all rookie pitchers in ERA. He yielded three runs with a career-high four walks over six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Fernandez, who owns an impressive 99-to-37 strikeout-to-walk ratio, has gone 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA in eight home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmermann (neck) will miss next Tuesday’s All-Star Game but is expected to avoid a trip to the disabled list.

2. Marlins SS Adeiny Hechavarria is batting .442 (19-for-43) during his career-high 11-game hitting streak.

3. The Nationals are 42-11 when scoring three or more runs.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Nationals 2