Washington @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2018 ) Washington 9, Miami 1

The Washington Nationals have indicated they may play out the weekend before deciding to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, but they're suddenly looking like a team that wants to stay in contention in the National League East. The Nationals put a three-game winning streak on the line when they play the third of four games at the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

Washington has outscored opponents 26-7 during the three-game run and it was never threatened after spotting ace Max Scherzer an early four-run lead in Friday's 9-1 win. Juan Soto had a solo home run, a triple and a single while driving in three runs for the Nationals, who moved back over .500 (52-51) and pulled within six games of first place in the division. The Marlins were held to three hits by Scherzer and one reliever while falling to 1-8 against Washington in 2018. The first five hitters in Miami's Friday night lineup went a combined 1-for-19 with eight strikeouts and they'll face off Saturday with Miami native Gio Gonzalez, who has a 1.93 ERA in 17 career starts against the Marlins.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (6-7, 3.94 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Trevor Richards (3-5, 4.41)

Command continues to be an issue for Gonzalez, who walked five batters over 5 2/3 innings of a loss at Milwaukee on Monday and has handed out at least four free passes in four of his last five outings. He pitched six innings or fewer in each of his last eight starts, during which the 32-year-old is 0-5 with a 7.25 ERA. One of Gonzalez's better outings in that stretch was five innings of two-run ball in a no-decision against Miami, and he is 10-3 in his career versus the Marlins.

Richards walked a season-high seven batters in 3 2/3 innings at Washington on July 8 but has recovered with back-to-back solid starts. He limited the Tampa Bay Rays to one run and three hits over 6 2/3 innings of a no-decision on Sunday after spinning six scoreless to defeat Philadelphia prior to the All-Star break. Lefties are hitting .202 against the 25-year-old rookie, while righties are at .321.\

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals RF Bryce Harper has six RBIs, three runs scored and seven strikeouts over his last three games.

2. Washington has won eight in a row at Miami.

3. Marlins LF Derek Dietrich has struck out 15 times over his last nine games and needs one more to reach 100 for the first time in his six-year career.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Marlins 4