Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Washington Nationals – September 13/15

MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #2 of the Miami Marlins singles during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at loanDepot park on August 24, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #2 of the Miami Marlins singles during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at loanDepot park on August 24, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Washington Nationals

When: September 13 – September 15

Location: Nationals Park, Washington DC

The Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals will see each other often over the next week and a half with six games between the two scheduled between now and next Wednesday. With the 2021 season winding down, these games will likely decide on who finishes fourth and fifth in the NL East.

Miami is coming off a series loss over the weekend in Atlanta against the first place Braves. Sporting a 60-83 overall record for the year, the Marlins currently sit in fourth place in the division, but hold only one game ahead of the Nationals in the standings.

The Nationals stand at 59-84 overall, and are coming off a series loss over the weekend in Pittsburgh. With a 4-6 record across their last 10 games, Washington has struggled on the road mightily this season, as well as a 33-39 record at Nationals park this season.

Start Times & Probable Starters

Game 1: Monday, September 13 at 7:05 pm ET

Probable Starters: RHP Sandy Alcantara vs RHP Paolo Espino

Alcantara (MIA): 8-13, 3.24 ERA, 1.096 WHIP, 48 BB, 178 K

Espino (WSH): 4-4, 4.35 ERA, 1.187 WHIP, 18 BB, 77 K

Game 2: Tuesday, September 14 at 7:05 pm ET

Probable Starters: LHP Jesus Luzardo vs RHP Erick Fedde

Luzardo (MIA): 5-7, 6.72 ERA, 1.609 WHIP, 40 BB, 79 K

Fedde (WSH): 6-9, 5.31 ERA, 1.444 WHIP, 44 BB, 112 K

Game 3: Wednesday, September 15 at 1:05 pm ET

Probable Starters: LHP Trevor Rogers vs TBD

Rogers (MIA): 7-7, 2.73 ERA, 1.146 WHIP, 43 BB, 138 K

Players to Watch

OF Juan Soto (WSH)

.311/.457/.528 season slash line – leads all MLB with 119 walks drawn and .457 OBP

SS Miguel Rojas (MIA)

.270/.328/.402 season slash line with eight home runs, 42 RBI’s, and 12 stolen bases

OF Bryan De La Cruz (MIA)

.338/.386/.481 season slash line through first 39 career games

OF Jesus Sanchez (MIA)

10 home runs and 26 RBI’s for the season – has homered in last three games

1B Josh Bell (WSH)

.813 OPS for the season with 26 home runs and 81 RBI’s

Series Prediction: Marlins 2-1

Schedule