Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Washington Nationals – September 20/22

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 14: Eddy Alvarez #65 of the Miami Marlins forces out Carter Kieboom #8 of the Washington Nationals to start a double play in the fourth inning at Nationals Park on September 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 14: Eddy Alvarez #65 of the Miami Marlins forces out Carter Kieboom #8 of the Washington Nationals to start a double play in the fourth inning at Nationals Park on September 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Washington Nationals

When: Monday, September 20 – Wednesday, September 22

Location: loanDepot Park, Miami, FL

After the Miami Marlins took two-of-three a week ago in Washington DC, the Marlins and Nationals meet once again for the final matchup between the two this season.

Miami is coming off a 2-1 series loss at home to the Pirates over the weekend, and avoided the sweep on Sunday due to a walk-off home run from Lewin Diaz. The Marlins sit at 63-86 at the moment, and enter play Monday two games ahead of the Nationals for fourth place in the NL East.

The Nationals are also coming off a series loss where they dropped two-of-three at home to the Rockies. Washington stands at 61-88 on the season, and fifth in the NL East, while also sporting a 3-7 record across their last 10 games.

Start Times & Probable Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Monday, September 20 at 6:40 pm ET

Probable Starters: LHP Jesus Luzardo vs RHP Erick Fedde

Luzardo (MIA): 5-8, 6.80 ERA, 1.634 WHIP, 42 BB, 80 K

Fedde (WSH): 7-9, 5.16 ERA, 1.410 WHIP, 44 BB, 120 K

Game 2: Tuesday, September 21 at 6:40 pm ET

Probable Starters: TBD vs LHP Josh Rogers

Rogers (WSH): 1-0, 2.60 ERA, 1.038 WHIP, 5 BB, 12 K

Game 3: Wednesday, September 22 at 6:40 pm ET

Probable Starters: RHP Elieser Hernandez vs RHP Josiah Gray

Hernandez (MIA): 102, 3.80 ERA, 1.242 WHIP, 12 BB, 40 K

Gray (WSH): 0-2, 6.24 ERA, 1.444 WHIP, 27 BB, 57 K

Players to Watch

OF Juan Soto (WSH) 

Leads all major leagues with .459 OBP and 124 walks – Slashing .500/.583/.750 across his last eight games

SS Miguel Rojas (MIA)

Collected a hit in five of his last six games with four RBI’s

1B Josh Bell (WSH)

Slashing .300/.455/.567 so far this month with four home runs, 11 RBI’s, and 17 walks drawn

2B Jazz Chisholm (MIA)

.729 OPS for the season with 15 home runs and 21 stolen bases

1B Ryan Zimmerman (WSH)

Slashing .429/.429/.929 across his last six games with two home runs

Next. 5 Marlins having a strong September. dark

Marlins vs Nationals Series Prediction

This series will likely decide who finishes fourth in the NL East this season. The Marlins should win at-least one here, but don’t rule out possibly more by any means.

Prediction: Marlins 2-1