Marlins vs Nationals Preview: Pitching Duel Sparks Week 62

The Marlins just beat the Nationals 7-3 yesterday. Miami's bats came alive in the ninth inning when Hicks and Stowers smashed back-to-back home runs. The Nationals scored early though—Young hit a two-run blast in the second inning to get Washington on the board. Now these teams face off again at Nationals Park. The Marlins are riding momentum with a one-game winning streak. The Nationals sit at 31-30 overall but are just 12-18 at home. This game could shift the energy of the series quick.

Miami's pitching staff is banged up bad right now. Lake Bachar gets the ball for the Marlins tonight. Three starting pitchers are on the injured list—Janson Junk, Eury Perez, and others—which means Miami's rotation has taken real damage. The Marlins' ace Sandy Alcántara is supposed to be their star, but injuries keep holding the team back. On the Washington side, Miles Mikolas throws for the Nationals. Mikolas is an experienced right-hander who was an All-Star in 2018 and 2022. He has struggled early this season though, carrying a 7.2 ERA.

The Marlins are 27-34 and desperate for wins. Miami's pitching cupboard looks bare with injuries everywhere. But yesterday they proved they can score runs—four homers in one game is explosive. Dylan Crews returns to the Nationals lineup tonight after missing time with a hand injury. The Nationals are 31-30 and need to tighten things up at home. Washington is struggling in Nationals Park with only a 12-18 home record. This is a crucial matchup where both teams need a win badly to build confidence.