The Washington Nationals are finally back home after an exhausting road trip. This game is the first in a 4-game series against the Marlins, and the final game before rosters expand to 28 players tomorrow. With the Nats maintaining a six-man rotation, they have been a man short in the bullpen and will be back up to eight tomorrow with their relievers. Actually make that nine relievers quite possibly tomorrow because LHP Joe La Sorsa is back with the team after MacKenzie Gore departed for bereavement leave.
The Marlins are fighting for their playoff lives as they have been in a downward spiral for over a month and are now 3.0 games out of a Wild Card spot. The Marlins are also only 4.5 games ahead of the Nats in the standings — but even with a sweep in this series the Nats would only be a half-game behind the Marlins.
For today’s starters, the Marlins go with lefty Braxton Garrett who the Nats faced last week. Lane Thomas was scratched from today’s lineup with some back pain. He was 2-12 career against Garrett, and one of those hits was a home run.
The Nats have Joan Adon going tonight with something to prove that his start last weekend in Miami was not a fluke. We will get to see if Adon is indeed a better version of himself.
“Oh, you have to be positive after the road trip we had.”
— manager Dave Martinez said
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.66 for 21st best in MLB.
Here is how they rank:
No. 6 Starter: Joan Adon 5.21 (starter’s ERA only)
No. 5 Starter: Patrick Corbin 4.90
No. 4 Starter: Trevor Williams 4.82
No. 3 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.30
No. 2 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 4.28
No. 1 Starter: Josiah Gray 4.05
Here is your Baseball Savant link for the game.
Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app
