Miami @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( May 27, 2018 ) Washington 5, Miami 2

The Washington Nationals were penciled in as heavy preseason favorites to run away with the National League East title, but that hardly has been the case a little more than halfway into the campaign. Losers of a season high-tying five in a row and 17 of their last 22, the Nationals hope to get back on track Thursday, when they open a four-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins.

"Let's get this thing going. I think we all know we're capable of playing better baseball. It's time we do it. It's do or die now," Trea Turner told reporters following Washington's players-only meeting after being unceremoniously swept by Boston with Wednesday's 3-0 setback. Turner recorded his second straight multi-hit performance in the defeat to improve to 13-for-32 with seven runs scored in his last seven contests for the Nationals, who reside seven full games behind division-leading Atlanta. Starlin Castro, who has recorded 19 hits in his last 10 games, erupted for eight singles and three runs as Miami improved to 4-2 in its last six after taking two of three from Sunshine State-rival Tampa Bay. The 28-year-old Dominican hasn't fared as well in his career versus Thursday starter Jeremy Hellickson, however, going 0-for-6.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Pablo Lopez (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jeremy Hellickson (2-1, 2.63)

Lopez fought off his nerves to win his major-league debut after allowing two solo homers in six innings of a 5-2 triumph over the New York Mets on Saturday. "As soon as I stepped out of the dugout, I just kept looking up in the stands, and they were so big, all the way up to the sky. This is where I wanted to be," the 22-year-old Venezuelan told reporters. Lopez has been on the fast track this season, posting a combined 1.44 ERA in stints with Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans.

Hellickson tasted defeat for the first time this season on Saturday after allowing three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 3-2 setback at Philadelphia. The 31-year-old was making his first start since returning from a lengthy stint on the disabled list due to a right hamstring strain. Hellickson owns a 4-3 record and 2.88 ERA in 12 career starts versus Miami, highlighted by a pair of shutouts against the club in 2016 while pitching for the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami SS J.T. Riddle went 13-for-37 with four multi-hit performances during the team's 10-game homestand.

2. Washington begins a stretch of playing 21 of 27 contests against sub-.500 teams on Thursday.

3. Marlins LF Derek Dietrich has struck out eight times during a 3-for-25 slump over his last eight games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Marlins 2