Washington @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2013 ) Washington 1, Miami 2

The Washington Nationals have been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball. A World Series favorite coming into the season, the Nationals need a victory to avoid slipping under .500 when they visit the Miami Marlins in the finale of a three-game set Sunday. Washington has dropped five of its last six games - including the first two of the series - and continues to struggle offensively while scoring only 352 runs (27th in the majors).

Nationals’ standout Bryce Harper, who is 9-for-46 since returning from the disabled list, was thrown out for arguing balls and strikes late in a 2-1 loss in 10 innings on Saturday. After a very slow start, the Marlins have been a real pest with 14 wins in their last 20 home games and a 22-16 record overall since May 31. Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton is also warming up with homers in the last two nights.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Taylor Jordan (0-2, 3.45 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 5.73)

Jordan makes his fourth major-league start after allowing nine runs (six earned) and 19 hits over 15 2/3 innings through the first three. The 24-year-old from Merritt Island, Fla. was 7-0 with a 0.83 ERA at Double-A Harrisburg before being recalled. The ninth-round pick by Washington in 2009 has struck out six and walked three with the Nationals.

Alvarez, who has spent most of the season on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, will make his third start since being activated. Acquired from Toronto after posting a 9-14 mark in 2012, Alvarez yielded eight runs (seven earned) in 11 innings over his previous two starts. Alvarez gave up four runs and nine hits in seven innings en route to losing his only outing against Washington last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami SS Adeiny Hechavarria, who scored the winning run Saturday, is batting .312 (39-for-125) since June 5.

2. Washington is 16-20 against National League-East opponents and 31-27 against everyone else.

3. The Marlins are 49-28 against the Nationals in Miami since 2005.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Nationals 4