In the second of a three-game series between the Washington Nationals (64-63) and the Miami Marlins (52-77) at Nationals Park, Jordan Zimmermann (10-8, 3.54 ERA) and Tom Koehler (8-12, 3.98 ERA) get the ball. The Marlins won the last game 4-3 and Miami leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 29 and will air on FSFL and MASN.
In his most recent outing, Zimmermann pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 9-5 victory over the Brewers. Bryce Harper (.334, 89 Rs, 31 HRs, 76 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. The Marlins were unsuccessful to the Pirates 5-2 the last time Koehler pitched. He went 6.0 innings, giving up two runs, striking out six and walking four.
Washington is a heavy -230 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Nationals are 51-39 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -1,238. They have performed well against their division to earn an SU record of 27-20 and a 25-15 record when they were the favorite. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Nationals has gone great. Over that span, Washington is averaging 5.6 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.2. Washington’s pitchers are doing better against opposing batters during divisional games, only allowing an average of 3.4 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.0. The Nationals are the best in the NL in walks allowed, giving up just 2.1 per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Marlins come into this game with a weak win percentage of .367 when playing as the underdog (29-50) and an overall money line of -2,395. Against divisional rivals, they are 17-31 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with an 8-15 record. The Marlins are known for their bats, hitting a league-leading 304 extra base hits. Miami is a terror on the base paths, ranking fourth in the MLB with 94 stolen bases.
The Marlins have mostly come out on top against the Nationals in their previous 10 games this season, earning a 6-4 record. The Nationals will take on a right-hander (Koehler) in this game and have a 48-49 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Zimmermann will take the mound against the Marlins, who have a 41-60 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Was, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Marlins won by a margin of one run. The Nationals are 18-16 in one-run games. The Marlins have a 16-19 record in close games.
The Nationals are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Marlins have a 4-12 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Nationals are 10-54. The Marlins have an 11-50 record when opponents outhit them.
Miami ranks near the bottom of the league at 29th when it comes to home runs, hitting 93 this season. Washington ranks in the top half at 13th with 131.
Ranking 12th, Washington is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.35 per game. Miami ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.54.
Ranking 29th, Miami is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.682). Washington ranks in the top half at 15th with an OPS of .717.
The Marlins are 24-48 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Nationals are 27-39 when they allow at least one homer.
