The Miami Marlins improved to 5-3 on their current home stand and 19-8 for the month of May, with a victory over the Washington Nationals yesterday. Today, the Marlins will look to continue their recent success with another win over the Nationals. A win today would set the Marlins record for wins in a single month.

After the victory on Memorial Day, the Marlins trail the Washington Nationals in the NL East by just two and a half games. The team is currently tied with the New York Mets for second place in the division. Here is a look at the current standings after all the games yesterday:

Stadium: Marlins Park

Five-year Run PF*: N/A
Five-year HR PF*: N/A
Stadium Dimensions:
Left field line—340 ft.
Left-center field—384 ft.
Center field—416 ft.
Right-center field—392 ft.
Right field line—335 ft.

*Five-year regressed park factors provided by Patriot here

Head to Head

The Marlins will be sending their best, and most consistent starter of the 2012 season to the mound. The last time out, the results were not too pretty for Anibal Sanchez. The right-hander gave up a season-high five runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 14-7 loss to San Francisco on Thursday. The start snapped a streak of 16 straight game in which Anibal had gone at least six innings. He will look to rebound against a team he has had plenty of success against. Sanchez  is 7-0 with a 2.10 ERA in 18 career starts against Washington. Earlier this season, Sanchez went seven strong innings against the Nationals, allowing just two solo home runs and striking out eight batters. If the Marlins can get that kind of start from Anibal again, and the offense does its job, there is a good chance that the Marlins can win this game, and claim the series.

On the mound for the Nationals will be their biggest free agent acquisition of the off-season, Edwin Jackson. Jackson has been a very reliable pitcher for the Nationals so far this season, as he has done a fantastic job limiting the amount of walks he usually allows. Unfortunately, Jackson will be running into a Marlins offense that is heating up, and a Marlins offense that has had plenty of success against the right-hander.

Marlins Lineup

Facing another right handed pitcher, Ozzie Guillen is very likely to stick to the same lineup that won him the first game of the series. It is also likely that Ozzie will try to get Donovan Solano or Greg Dobbs in the lineup, but we will find out more once the team releases the lineups for this game. John Buck is also a candidate to receive the day off.

Bold Prediction:

Anibal Sanchez will deliver one of the best starts of his season, going eight strong innings for the Marlins, allowing only two hits, and striking out eleven hitters. Edwin Jackson will go seven strong for the Nationals, but allow three earned runs in those seven innings, including a Hanley Ramirez solo home run. The Marlins will win the ballgame 3-0, including a perfect ninth inning save for Heath Bell. The Marlins will set their single month record for wins and move to within a game and a half of first place.