The Washington Nationals (27-41) host the Miami Marlins (39-31) at Nationals Park on Saturday. The Marlins took Friday’s series opener 6-5, their fourth straight head-to-head victory, including all four games this season.
Andrew Nardi got the win with 1.2 scoreless innings of relief, and A.J. Puk picked up his eighth save with a scoreless ninth. Luis Arraez was 5 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs in the win.
Garrett Cooper added one RBI on one hit. Jeimer Candelario went 3 for 5 with three doubles and one run for the Nationals. Lane Thomas added a home run and a double. He had two RBIs.
ON THE MOUND
Braxton Garrett (2-2, 4.10 ERA) is slated for the start for Miami. The southpaw threw 5.1 scoreless innings in his last start, a 6-5 home win over the White Sox on Sunday. He yielded three hits while striking out nine and walking one in the no-decision.
Garrett is making his first appearance against the Nationals this season. Over two starts against the Nationals in 2022, Garrett was 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA over 13.1 innings. He had 10 strikeouts and one walk. For Washington, RHP Jake Irvin (1-3, 5.81 ERA) is on the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Marlins.
In his last start on June 6, Irvin took a no-decision at home against the Diamondbacks. He threw four innings and gave up four runs (3 ER) on five hits, striking out one and walking three in the 10-5 loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Miami has averaged 4.0 runs a game, equal to their season average. Against right-handed pitchers like Irvin this season, the Fish have a .692 OPS. Arraez is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .910 OPS in 185 at-bats.
Washington is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.2 for the season. The Nats have a .778 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.081 OPS over 81 at-bats, Thomas has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Miami is 18-18 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Washington has lost five in a row at their home ballpark.
The Nats are 12-22 at home this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. Miami is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at Nationals Park with an average scoreline of 4.2-3.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Marlins are second in the NL East, five games behind the division-leading Braves. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 16 games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Miami Marlins (-165)
Want up to a $1K risk-free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information, and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
