Miami @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2018 ) Miami 2, Washington 3

The Washington Nationals received a visit from the Miami Marlins at just the right time. The host Nationals will try to maintain their dominance over the Marlins and continue to dig out of a massive slump when the National League East foes continue a four-game series Saturday night.

Mark Reynolds smacked a walk-off home run to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night as Washington picked up its 13th consecutive victory over Miami and its second in a row overall following a 5-17 swoon. Trea Turner had a pair of hits for the Nationals and is 18-for-41 during a nine-game hot stretch. Max Scherzer will hope for some rare run support as he aims to snap a personal four-game losing streak for Washington on Saturday. Wei-Yin Chen seeks a third straight strong performance for the Marlins, who left eight runners on base in Friday's loss.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (2-5, 5.55 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (10-5, 2.16)

Chen posted a 6.70 ERA through his first 11 starts before letting up one run in six frames in each of his last two outings. He yielded three hits with no walks and five strikeouts in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Monday. The 32-year-old held Washington to one run in 7 1/3 innings in a May 26 matchup at home, but he has a 7.71 ERA in two career starts at Nationals Park.

Scherzer has an ERA of 2.73 during a five-start winless stretch, during which his team has scored a total of seven runs. He got the win despite giving up a season-high four earned runs in six innings at Miami on May 25. Martin Prado is 16-for-35 with a home run against Scherzer, while J.T. Realmuto is 1-for-24 with nine strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Marlins optioned LHP Dillon Peters to Triple-A New Orleans and activated 1B Garrett Cooper from the 60-day disabled list.

2. Miami 2B Starlin Castro is 12-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Nationals RF Bryce Harper's average is down to .211, but he has drawn multiple walks in five of his last eight contests.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Marlins 3