Washington @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2019 ) Miami 3, Washington 9

The Washington Nationals are trying to fight off a pair of teams from the National League Central in the NL wild card race and get the benefit of playing the worst team in the league this weekend. The Nationals will try to pad their advantage in the wild card race when they visit the Miami Marlins on Friday for the opener of a three-game series.

Washington, which is one game ahead of Milwaukee for the first wild card spot and two clear of the third-place Chicago Cubs, could use a little break in the schedule after playing four straight series against first-place teams and going 5-8 against St. Louis, Atlanta (twice) and Minnesota, including dropping two of three at the Cardinals to start the six-game road trip this week. "Frustrating," bench coach Chip Hale, who is filling in as manager for Dave Martinez, told reporters after a 5-1 loss Wednesday. "We know where we are, we know we're in the fight. Max (Scherzer) was throwing great. He had his good stuff today, felt good, felt good late in the game." The Marlins are not great candidates to play spoiler after dropping of eight of their last 10 and going 3-13 against the Nationals this season. Miami will give right-hander Robert Dugger another chance to earn his first win while Washington hands the ball to veteran Anibal Sanchez on Friday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Anibal Sanchez (9-8, 3.86 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Robert Dugger (0-2, 3.95)

Sanchez snapped a three-start winless streak (0-2) with a gem against Atlanta on Sunday, scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings while walking one. The Venezuela native yielded two or fewer runs in four of his last five turns and is 2-2 in that span. Sanchez held Miami to two runs and three hits in five innings on Aug. 30 and is 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA in three starts against the division rivals this season.

Dugger is trying to get some run support after allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his last four starts without coming away with a win. The 24-year-old, who is seeing Washington for the first time, surrendered two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings at San Francisco on Saturday but was held out of the decision. Dugger was 2-4 with a 7.59 ERA at Triple-A New Orleans before being recalled.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals OF Juan Soto is 2-for-16 with five strikeouts over the last five games.

2. Miami is reportedly working on a two-year extension with SS Miguel Rojas.

3. Washington manager Dave Martinez (heart procedure) missed the series in St. Louis and could sit out the weekend as well.

PREDICTION: Nationals 7, Marlins 1