Washington @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2019 ) Washington 6, Miami 4

The Washington Nationals are trying to lock up the top wild card spot in the National League and are taking advantage of a team at the bottom of the standings. The Nationals will attempt to make it two consecutive wins when they visit the NL-worst Miami Marlins for the second of a three-game series on Saturday.

Washington leads the Milwaukee Brewers by one game for the top wild card and more importantly sits three games ahead of the third-place Chicago Cubs after taking the series opener 6-4 on Friday. Trea Turner belted a pair of home runs in the win for the Nationals, who face a tough schedule over the final week with five games against the Philadelphia Phillies, including a Tuesday doubleheader, and three against American League wild card contenders the Cleveland Indians. The Marlins are limping toward the finish with 11 losses in the last 14 games and reached 100 losses with Friday's setback. Miami will try to bounce back on Saturday behind rookie Jordan Yamamoto while Washington turns to fellow right-hander Stephen Strasburg.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (17-6, 3.49 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jordan Yamamoto (4-5, 4.87)

Strasburg was moved up a day in the rotation in order to be available for a possible start in the wild card game and will pitch Saturday on four days' rest after scattering two runs and three hits across five innings at St. Louis on Monday. The former No. 1 overall pick allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last six outings and surrendered five or fewer hits in each of those turns. Strasburg had no trouble at home against Miami on Aug. 31, when he allowed two hits and struck out 14 without walking a batter in eight scoreless frames.

Yamamoto is expected to be activated off the 10-day injured list to make his first start since Aug. 24, when he was knocked around for six runs and six hits over 3 2/3 innings against Philadelphia. The 23-year-old rookie went down with a right forearm strain in that outing and will be monitored carefully on Saturday. Yamamoto is making his first career start against Washington and is 2-3 with a 6.23 ERA in seven home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals manager Dave Martinez (heart procedure) returned to the bench Friday after sitting out the previous series.

2. Miami announced two-year extensions for manager Don Mattingly and SS Miguel Rojas.

3. Washington C Kurt Suzuki (elbow) was available to pinch hit Friday, but is day-to-day to return behind the plate.

PREDICTION: Nationals 7, Marlins 0