The Miami Marlins (+120) host the Washington Nationals (-140) at loanDepot park on Sunday with the home team looking to sweep the three-game series. The early total was set at 7.5 with the under a -125 favorite. The Marlins (63-89) lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-1 on Saturday, their 15th head-to-head victory in 18 games this season. Starter Sandy Alcantara went eight innings, giving up one run on three hits and striking out 11, to get the win, and Dylan Floro picked up his seventh save with a scoreless ninth. Bryan De La Cruz went 4 for 4 with a home run and two doubles in the win. He scored two runs. Joey Meneses was 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Nationals (52-99).
ON THE MOUND
Anibal Sanchez (2-6, 4.40 ERA) is set for the start for Washington. The RHP gets the Marlins in back-to-back starts. On September 18, he allowed two runs over six innings, a 3-1 home defeat. He took the loss, scattering four hits while striking out three and walking two. RHP Edward Cabrera (6-3, 2.91 ERA) will toe the rubber for Miami. He has made one prior start against the Nationals this season, giving up one runs over six innings in a 12-2 home win on June 7. He gave up two hits and walked two, while striking out four in the win. In his last start on Monday, Cabrera got the win at home against the Cubs. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on three hits, striking out four and walking three in the 10-3 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Washington has averaged only 2.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 3.8, while slashing worse across the board (.199/.244/.289). Against right-handed pitchers like Cabrera this season, the Nats have a .698 OPS. Luke Voit is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .814 OPS in 319 at-bats. Miami is averaging 4.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 3.6 for the season, with an improved slash line (.286/.326/.458). The Fish have a .675 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .785 OPS over 320 at-bats, Garrett Cooper has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is 28-49 in away games in 2022, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Miami has gone 32-45 at home this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In the last 10 meetings at loanDepot park, Miami is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.3-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 43 games behind the division-leading Mets. The Marlins are fourth in the NL East, 32 games behind the Mets.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Miami Marlins (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
