Miami @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2018 ) Miami 4, Washington 18

Mark Reynolds was passed over by every other major league team this spring but is rewarding the Washington Nationals in record-setting ways. One day after going 5-for-5 with two home runs and 10 RBIs, the veteran first baseman concludes his memorable weekend Sunday when the Nationals aim for a sweep of their four-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins.

Reynolds crushed a walk-off home run in Friday’s 3-2 victory before delivering the ultimate encore in Saturday’s 18-4 victory, helping Washington post its 14th consecutive victory over Miami and its third in a row overall following a 5-17 slide. Reynolds’ 10 RBIs tied Anthony Rendon’s club record set last season and came two days after Trea Turner had eight RBIs in Thursday’s series-opening 14-12 victory. Miami fell 19 games under .500 with Saturday’s loss but hit back-to-back homers for the first time this season when Starlin Castro and J.T. Realmuto went deep in the fourth inning. The Marlins have had a dismal trip to the nation's capital, but utilityman Yadiel Rivera belted his first career homer in Saturday's contest and Castro is 13-for-24 during a six-game hitting streak.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), MASN (Washington)








PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Trevor Richards (2-5, 5.26 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Tanner Roark (3-10, 4.60)

Richards received a no-decision Tuesday against Tampa Bay after giving up four runs on nine hits over five innings. The 25-year-old rookie was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on June 7 and has gone 2-3 with a 5.52 ERA and 24 strikeouts against eight walks over his last six starts. Richards, who is making his first career appearance against Washington, has posted a 4.44 ERA in five home starts compared to a 6.08 mark in six starts away from Marlins Park.

Roark lost his third straight start Tuesday, allowing nine runs on 10 hits across seven innings against Boston. The 31-year-old native of Illinois is 0-4 with an 8.44 ERA over his last four starts covering 21 1/3 innings. Martin Prado is 10-for-23 with a home run against Roark, who owns a 5-8 record and 3.99 ERA in 22 career games (16 starts) against Miami and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts against the Marlins.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals closer Sean Doolittle was unavailable Saturday following a precautionary MRI on his foot but is not expected to miss any time.

2. Miami OF Brian Anderson was given a scheduled day off Saturday after starting the team’s first 90 games.

3. Washington C Matt Wieters (hamstring) is set to conclude his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday and could be activated from the disabled list Monday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 9, Marlins 4