Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Washington Nationals – August 24/26
After a disappointing three-game series in Cincinnati, the Miami Marlins return home for six consecutive games starting with their opponent starting Tuesday in the Washington Nationals. Both the Marlins and Nationals have struggled recently, as both occupy the bottom two spots in the NL East standings.
Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Washington Nationals
The Marlins were swept during their four-game series over the weekend in Cincinnati bringing their losing streak to seven consecutive losses in the process. With their last victory coming on Sunday, August 15 at home against the Cubs, Miami badly needs something to go right, and the opportunity is there for it to happen here.
Miami enters this series with a 51-74 overall record, and last in the NL East. The Fish sport an exact .500 record at loanDepot Park this season (30-30), but have struggled against the Nationals with a 3-7 record against Washington so far this season.
The Nationals come to Miami after dropping two-of-three in Milwaukee against the Brewers over the weekend. Like the Marlins, Washington also sports a 3-7 record across their last 10 games.
Currently sporting a 53-70 overall record, the Nationals rank fourth in the NL East only three games ahead of the Marlins in the standings. However, this is the first meeting between these two since the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline, as the Nationals will look very different than when the Fish last saw them.
Washington Nationals Players to Watch
RF Juan Soto
The by-far Nationals best player is Soto, a player who has destroyed Marlins pitching this season slashing .360/.484/.760 across seven games. The 22-year-old outfielder enters play Tuesday with a hit in six of his last eight games.
1B Josh Bell
The Nationals primary first baseman is enjoying a solid first season in Washington after being acquired from the Pirates in the offseason. Despite struggling for the month of August overall, Bell has collected a hit in six of his last seven games.
1B Ryan Zimmerman
Washington’s other first baseman is Zimmerman, who will most-likely get at-least one start during this three-game series. Currently in year 16 with the organization, Zimmerman has posted a .736 OPS with 11 home runs.
OF Yadiel Hernandez
One of the Nationals’ players who has benefitted most from the open playing time is Hernandez. The 33-year-old outfielder is currently slashing .333/.397/.550 with four home runs across his last 19 games.
RP Ryne Harper
Arguably the Nationals best reliever is Harper, a 32-year-old right-hander who is currently in year two with Washington. Across 25.1 innings pitched this season, Harper has posted a 1.78 ERA only allowing a total of five earned runs.
Miami Marlins Players to Watch
SS Miguel Rojas
Rojas continues to anchor the Marlins lineup collecting five hits during Miami’s four games in Cincinnati. Across his last 19 games, the veteran shortstop is slashing .311/.354/.459.
1B Jesus Aguilar
Aguilar is the by-far current team leader in both home runs and RBI’s, and easily the biggest power threat at the plate. The 31-year-old is only one home run away from surpassing current Braves outfielder Adam Duvall for the team lead in 2021.
2B Jazz Chisholm
Chisholm has collected a hit in five of his last eight games, three of which were multi-hit. Across the month of July, Chisholm is slashing .275/.321/.471 with three home runs and nine RBI’s.
OF Lewis Brinson
It certainly appears that the hot streak to begin the month for Brinson may have ended as he has only collected two hits across his last seven games. For the month, Brinson is slashing .276/.329/.513 with four home runs and 17 RBI’s.
SP Edward Cabrera
The Marlins No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, it was announced that Cabrera would be called up to make his major league debut on Wednesday. Across 13 starts this season in multiple levels, the right-hander has posted a combined 2.93 ERA with 92 strikeouts to 25 walks.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Tuesday, August 24 at 7:10 pm ET
Probable Starters: LHP Jesus Luzardo vs RHP Erick Fedde
Luzardo (MIA): 4-6, 7.76 ERA, 1.778 WHIP, 32 BB, 57 K
Fedde (WSH): 5-8, 5.14 ERA, 1.433 WHIP, 41 BB, 87 K
Game 2: Wednesday, August 25 at 7:10 pm ET
Probable Starters: RHP Edward Cabrera vs RHP Josiah Gray
Cabrera (MIA): Major League Debut – Marlins No. 2 prospect
Gray (WSH): 0-1, 3.90 ERA, 1.167 WHIP, 10 BB, 35 K – Nationals No. 3 prospect
Game 3: Thursday, August 26 at 7:10 pm ET
Probable Starters: RHP Elieser Hernandez vs LHP Patrick Corbin
Hernandez (MIA): 0-1, 4.15 ERA, 0.981 WHIP, 3 BB, 19 K
Corbin (WSH): 7-12, 5.82 ERA, 1.391 WHIP, 41 BB, 107 K
Series Prediction
As mentioned previously, this is a matchup that the Marlins have struggled in so far this season. Both teams will look different than the last time they met, but which “new-look” team is better?
This three-game series during the week will be dominated by one storyline, and rightfully so – The major league debut of Marlins No. 2 prospect Edward Cabrera. Scheduled to start Wednesday, the hype surrounding the top prospect will only continue to build from here on.
Aside from the big league debut of Cabrera, these two teams are struggling, and will not be playing postseason baseball in 2021. Both teams will be looking to get back on the winning-side of things starting Tuesday, and the Marlins should win at-least one, if not two here.
Prediction: Marlins 2-1