Dan Haren (1-1, 3.32 ERA) and Gio Gonzalez (1-1, 3.44 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Miami Marlins (7-11) and the Washington Nationals (7-11) at Marlins Park. The Marlins won the last game 8-0 and Miami leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 26 and can be seen on MASN2 and FSN-FL.
Haren is 2-2 with a 2.36 ERA in his appearances against the Nationals, and goes up against a below-average Washington offense which is batting just .222 this season. Giancarlo Stanton (.262, 12 Rs, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 3 with three runs, one home run, and two RBIs. Gonzalez is 6-2 with a 1.67 ERA when pitching against the Marlins. He is up against a good Miami offense which is hitting .258 this season. Michael Taylor (.271, 3 Rs, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run.
Washington takes on Miami as a -122 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at seven runs. The Marlins have recorded an overall money line of -627 and have shown a weak performance as an underdog this season with a record of 2-5. Miami has had a discouraging season against division opponents, earning records of 2-5 and 5-9 as the underdog and SU respectively. The Marlins are the fourth-best team in the NL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 7.9 hits per game so far this season.
In games where it is the favorite, Washington has a 6-7 record and an overall money line of -563. They are 5-6 as the favorite against NL East rivals, and 5-6 SU. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is fifth in the NL. Washington is excellent at drawing walks with 3.3 per game, ranking fourth in the NL. The Nationals average 3.9 runs allowed per game, but does better whenever another team from the NL East is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average down to 3.0 against division foes.
The Marlins have the edge in the season series, 2-0. Haren (RHP) will be on the hill against the Nationals, who have a 5-9 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIA, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Washington Nationals, the Marlins now have one shutout this season. The Nationals have been shut out in one game this season.
The Marlins are 1-0 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Nationals are 2-1 in such matchups.
The Nationals managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Marlins who are heading in with a 6-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Marlins are 0-5. The Nationals have a 1-10 record when opponents outhit them.
Miami ranks near the bottom of the league at 24th when it comes to home runs, hitting 11 this season. Washington ranks in the top half at 14th with 15.
Ranking 12th, Washington is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.47 per game. Miami ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.47.
Ranking 23rd, Washington is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.646). Miami ranks in the top half at 15th with an OPS of .685.
When the Nationals allow at least one home run, they are 2-4, well-matched with the Marlins who are 4-6 when allowing at least one homer.
