Washington @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2013 ) Miami 0, Washington 9

The Washington Nationals continue a lengthy road trip looking to climb the ladder in the playoff race when they visit the hapless Miami Marlins on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Washington is 2-1 on the 10-game trip after a 3-2 win in the rubber match at Philadelphia on Wednesday. The club is 17-8 in its last 25 games, but resides seven games behind Cincinnati in the race for the second wild card spot in the National League.

Part of the Nationals' surge came in a three-game sweep of Miami at the end of August at home. The victories gave Washington a 9-3 season series advantage. Miami had a rare winning streak snapped Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs and has lost 21 of its last 30 overall.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Dan Haren (8-12, 5.02 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (10-6, 2.33)

Although he made strides after coming off the disabled list prior to the All-Star break, Haren was hit hard Saturday against the New York Mets. The veteran gave up seven runs and nine hits in just 2 2/3 innings to see his ERA soar back over 5.00. Haren threw six scoreless frames at Miami on July 13 and owns a 2.98 ERA in seven games (six starts) in his career against the Marlins.

Fernandez had a personal five-game winning streak snapped Friday in Atlanta despite allowing just two runs and three hits in six innings. He is 7-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 13 starts at home, including six solid innings against Washington opposite Haren in that July 13 matchup. The 21-year-old has 62 strikeouts in 47 innings over his last seven starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals CF Denard Span has hit safely in a career-high 17 straight games, going 28-for-59 in that span.

2. Washington plans to give RHP Tanner Roark his first major league start Saturday.

3. Miami CF Christian Yelich is 12-for-25 with three stolen bases and a home run during a six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Nationals 3