Washington @ Miami preview
Marlins Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2018 ) Miami 12, Washington 1
The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins will see plenty of each other as they play out the string over the next two weeks. The National League East rivals will meet five times over the next 10 days, including a two-game series that begins Monday in Miami.
The Nationals haven’t yet been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, but they’re close as they trail division-leading Atlanta by 7 1/2 games and are 6 1/2 out of the second NL wild-card spot. Washington has won seven of its last nine contests, however - including two of three on the road against the Braves over the weekend. The Marlins snapped their five-game losing streak with a 6-4 win at Philadelphia on Sunday, wrapping up a 2-7 road trip. Miami owns the worst record in the NL.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Erick Fedde (2-3, 5.12 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Trevor Richards (3-9, 4.85)
Fedde is looking to build off his best major-league start to date as he held Philadelphia to two hits while registering nine strikeouts in 5 2/3 scoreless innings on Tuesday. The 25-year-old has recorded only one quality start in 11 outings over the last two seasons. Both of Fedde’s career victories have come on the road.
Richards is winless in his last nine starts and has been roughed up in each of his last two. The 25-year-old rookie surrendered 12 runs - 10 earned - over 6 1/3 innings in those outings and has served up eight home runs in his last six turns. Richards has made two starts against the Nationals, allowing two runs over 9 2/3 frames in a pair of no-decisions.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon has reached base in 25 consecutive games, the longest streak by a Washington player this season.
2. The Marlins have recorded 42 stolen bases - the fewest in the majors and only three more than Nationals SS Trea Turner’s major league-leading total.
3. Washington OF Juan Soto has reached safely in 21 straight contests, one shy of Hall-of-Famer Mel Ott’s 1928 record for a teenager.
PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Marlins 4