The Washington Nationals (51-94) are in for a challenge against Sandy Alcantara at Nationals Park on Sunday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the Miami Marlins (59-87) with the home team eyeing a sweep of the three-game series. The Nationals lead the series 2-0 after winning 5-3 on Saturday, their third head-to-head victory in 15 games this season. Hunter Harvey got the win with one scoreless inning of relief, and Kyle Finnegan struck out the side in the ninth to earn his 10th save. Lane Thomas went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the win. Luke Voit added a solo home run. Jerar Encarnacion was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs for the Marlins.
ON THE MOUND
Alcantara (12-8, 2.43 ERA) is in line to get the start for Miami. The righty ranks second in the NL in ERA. Alcantara allowed two runs over seven innings in his last start, a 2-1 road defeat against the Phillies on Tuesday. He took the loss, scattering eight hits while striking out four and walking one. Over three previous starts against the Nationals this season, Alcantara has allowed only two earned runs over 23 innings (2-0, 0.78). He has struck out 16 and walked four. Righty Anibal Sanchez (2-5, 4.56 ERA) gets the ball for Washington. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Marlins. In his last start on September 11, Sanchez took a no-decision on the road against the Phillies. He threw two innings and gave up one run on two hits, walking three, in the 7-5 loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Miami has averaged 2.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.6. Against right-handed pitchers like Sanchez this season, the Fish have a .675 OPS, fifth lowest in MLB. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been the team’s biggest slugger against right-handers with a .579 SLG in 301 at-bats. Washington is averaging 4.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.9 for the season. The Nats have a .703 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .605 OPS over 356 at-bats, Cesar Hernandez has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Miami is 30-44 away from loanDepot park in 2022, scoring 3.6 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Washington has gone 24-49 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. In the last 10 games between the NL East rivals at Nationals Park, Miami is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 4.6-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Marlins are fourth in the NL East, 31 games behind the division-leading Mets. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 40 games behind the Mets.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Miami Marlins (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
