Miami @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2018 ) Washington 4, Miami 2

Stephen Strasburg has manhandled the Miami Marlins throughout his career, and this campaign has been no different. Strasburg aims to continue his dominance of the division rival on Monday as the Washington Nationals (78-78) host the Marlins (62-93) in the opener of their final home series of the season.

Strasburg surrendered just two runs and struck out 19 to win both of his starts this season versus Miami to improve to 17-7 with a 3.04 ERA and 1.11 WHIP against the National League East rival. Trea Turner is riding an 11-game hitting streak and career-best 23-game on-base stretch while fellow infielder Anthony Rendon has respective streaks of nine and 31 for Washington, which has won 10 of the 16 meetings with Miami this season. While the Nationals have dropped three of four contests overall, the Marlins recorded a pair of shutouts to highlight a three-game sweep of Cincinnati. Brian Anderson had three singles in Sunday's 6-0 romp to give him five hits and four runs scored during the series, although he is 0-for-6 with two strikeouts in his career versus Strasburg.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), MASN2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara (2-1, 2.35 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (9-7, 3.83)

Alcantara tasted defeat for the first time in his career on Tuesday, as he allowed three runs on six hits over four innings of a 4-2 setback versus Washington. The 23-year-old Dominican issues six walks to drive up his pitch count to boot. Adam Eaton and Turner each had a pair of singles in the contest, although the rest of the Nationals combined to go 2-for-11 against Alcantara.

Strasburg improved to 3-0 with a 2.64 ERA in his last five starts after yielding two runs on five hits in Tuesday's victory. The 30-year-old matched his season high with 11 strikeouts in that contest to raise his five-game total to 38. Strasburg has struggled at home in 2018, posting a 2-5 mark with a 5.20 ERA while surrendering 10 of his 16 homers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington LF Juan Soto is 2-for-23 with five strikeouts in his last six contests.

2. Miami C J.T. Realmuto is 6-for-15 with three runs scored and two RBIs during his four-game hitting streak.

3. Turner's RBI total (19) versus the Marlins this season is more than twice than his count against any other team.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Marlins 1