Free MLB Picks Today: Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins 6/18/23

The Miami Marlins (40-31) are on the road to face the Washington Nationals (27-42) at Nationals Park on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game series.

The Marlins lead the series 2-0 after winning 5-2 on Saturday, their fifth straight head-to-head victory, including all five games this season.

Starter Braxton Garrett got the win, allowing one run on four hits over six innings and striking out eight, and A.J. Puk earned his ninth save with a scoreless ninth.

Jorge Soler was 1 for 2 with three walks and one RBI in the win. Jeimer Candelario went 2 for 4 with a double and one run for the Nationals.

ON THE MOUND

Jesus Luzardo (5-5, 4.17 ERA) is in line for the start for Miami. The southpaw allowed six runs (five earned) over four innings in his last start, an 8-1 road defeat against the Mariners on Monday.

He was charged with the loss, yielding six hits while striking out three and walking one. Luzardo has made one previous start against the Nationals this season, a 5-4 home victory on May 16.

He surrendered one run on five hits over six innings, striking out seven and walking one. Left-hander Patrick Corbin (4-7, 4.81 ERA) will toe the rubber for Washington. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Marlins.

Corbin made two appearances against the Marlins in 2022, both starts, striking out 12 and walking three over 13 innings (0-1, 2.08). In his last start on Tuesday, Corbin took the loss on the road against the Astros. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out five and walking five in the 6-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Miami has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.0. Against southpaws like Corbin this season, the Fish have a .792 OPS, the highest in MLB.

Soler is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.326 OPS in 54 at-bats. Washington is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.2 for the season.

The Nats have a .772 OPS against left-handers in 2023, the highest in the league. With a 1.056 OPS over 83 at-bats, Lane Thomas has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Miami is on a three-game winning streak away from loanDepot Park, bringing their record to 19-18 in 2023. The Fish have scored 4.1 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.5 runs. Washington has lost six in a row at Nationals Park.

The Nats are 12-23 at home this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. Miami is 8-2 in the last 10 games between the NL East rivals at Nationals Park with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.2.

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.