The Miami Marlins will face the Nationals for two games on Friday.
The Miami Marlins are coming off of yet another tough series dropping three of four to the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Miami now, will head to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Nationals for four games in three days. Miami is pretty much out of postseason contention, but still look to finish the season strong. Washington looks to have a very good chance to make the postseason for the first time as the Nationals.
Miami enters the series with a 48-57 record putting the Marlins in fourth place in the National League East. At 62-42, the Washington Nationals lead the N.L. East and have the second best record in all of baseball. The Nats however, hold just a 2.5 game lead over the Atlanta Braves. A good series for the Marlins and Washington could find itself some place other than the top of the division. The Fish and Nats will kick the series off on Friday with a day-night doubleheader. It will be the first doubleheader of the season for Miami; the series will conclude with a night game on Saturday and a day game on Sunday.
Season Series
Miami leads 5-4. The Marlins are 0-2 this season in Washington D.C., but are 5-2 against the Nationals at home. The teams last met for the first series after the All-Star break and split a four-game-set. Friday’s doubleheader will make up an April 22nd rainout in which Josh Johnson was supposed to face Gio Gonzalez. Both will be on the mound on Friday, but the two will not face each other. Johnson will pitch the first game of the doubleheader for the Marlins and Gonzalez will pitch the night-cap for the Nationals.
Reyes’ Streak Hits 20
Marlins’ shortstop Jose Reyes went 5-for-17 in Atlanta with three hits going for extra bases. In the process, Reyes extended his hitting streak to 20 straight games. Reyes has hit in every game since the All-Star break and has raised his average from .264 to .279. Last season, Emilio Bonifacio hit in 26 straight games for the Marlins. The club-record is 35 set by another Marlins’ speedster, Luis Castillo, back in 2002.
Marlins Trade Gaby Sanchez, Edward Mujica
The Miami Marlins did not make big news at the trading deadline, but were not silent. The Fish sent former All-Star first baseman Gaby Sanchez to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for two minor leaguers in pitcher Kyle Kaminska and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez. The Marlins also sent reliever Edward Mujica to the St. Louis Cardinals. In return, Miami received 2010 first round pick, Zack Cox.
Pitching Matchups
Friday (Doubleheader, 1st game) – Josh Johnson (MIA) 6-7, 4.04 ERA vs. John Lannan (WASH) 1-0, 2.57 ERA
(Doubleheader, 2nd game) – Brad Hand (MIA) 0-0, 0.00 vs. Gio Gonzalez (WASH) 13-5, 3.27 ERA
Saturday – Mark Buehrle (MIA) 9-10, 3.60 ERA vs. Jordan Zimmermann (WASH) 8-6, 2.28 ERA
Sunday – Ricky Nolasco (MIA) 8-10, 4.90 ERA vs. Stephen Strasburg (WASH) 11-5, 3.12 ERA
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