Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
The Washington Nationals are back home, and will face the Miami Marlins. The significance of this series is that draft positioning could be determined by the outcome of this series with the teams separated by just one game in the standings. The Nats are in last place in the NL East and would pick 5th in the draft if the CBA does not change the way draft ordering is done by the won/loss records.
In the head-to-head matchups this season, the Nats lead the season series against the Marlins up 8-5. But things are much different for both teams as they sold-off at the trade deadline — the Nats more than the Marlins. The teams will also play three games next Monday-Wednesday in Miami for their final games of the season.
There was a series of roster moves today with Jordy Mercer activated from the 10-day IL, and Adrian Sanchez was DFA’d since he had no options remaining.
For lineup moves, Keibert Ruiz is back in the lineup after taking the day-off yesterday as a precaution. Ruiz was hit-by-pitch just off of the ear flap on the right side of his head.
The Nats start Paolo Espino in this game, and the Marlins have one of their aces, Sandy Alcantara, a right-hander as their starter in this Monday evening series opener.
Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN, BALLY Sports Florida, MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® ( Streaming Internet 869)
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
1. Lane Thomas CF
2 Alcides Escobar SS
3. Juan Soto RF
4. Josh Bell 1B
5. Yaidel Hernández LF
6. Carter Kieboom 3B
7. Keibert Ruiz C
8. Luis García 2B
9. Paolo Espino RHP
