Max Scherzer (11-11, 3.03 ERA), seeking his 200th strikeout of the season, takes the mound for the Washington Nationals (71-70) as they go up against Brad Hand (4-5, 5.20 ERA) and the Miami Marlins (61-81) in the last of a three-game series at Marlins Park. The Nationals lost the last game 2-0, extending a five-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 13 and will air on FSFL and MAS2.
In his most recent outing, Hand pitched 1.2 innings, allowing seven runs, striking out two and walking two in a 7-0 loss to the Mets. Justin Bour (.255, 32 Rs, 16 HRs, 54 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI. The Nationals were unsuccessful the last time Scherzer pitched. He did not do well, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing five runs and striking out six in an 8-5 loss to the Mets. Ryan Zimmerman (.249, 43 Rs, 16 HRs, 73 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run.
Miami is a heavy +173 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. When playing as the underdog, the Marlins have a 36-53 record and overall money line at -1,605. They are 6-1 as the underdog over their last 10 games. The Marlins are a dangerous hitting team with 339 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fourth in all of baseball with 102 steals.
On the other side, the Nationals have a record of 58-44 when they are favored and are -1,589 overall with the money line. Against fellow NL East members, they are 33-25 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 31-19 record. During the last 10 games, they averaged 6.1 runs per game, above their 4.4 season average. The Nationals average 3.2 walks per road game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the NL when they travel. Washington’s pitching staff tends to perform well when they play division rivals. They’ve allowed an average of 3.5 runs per game against teams from the NL East, lower than their season average of 4.1. They also allow just 2.2 walks per game, good for tops in the NL.
The Marlins have mostly come out on top against the Nationals in their previous 14 games this season, earning an 8-6 record. This game will feature Scherzer (RHP) on the mound against the Marlins, who have a 47-64 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Hand will take the mound against the Nationals, who have an 18-16 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Was, O/U – Over
Notes
Miami earned its ninth shutout of the season in its last game. Washington has been shut out nine times this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Marlins are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Nationals have a 9-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
It looks like the Marlins have a slight leg up on the Nationals, as the Marlins have won their last three games while the Nationals have lost their last four.
When they outhit their opponents, the Marlins are 42-20. The Nationals have a 56-10 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th, Miami is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 523 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 616.
Ranking 26th, Miami is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 331 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 459.
The Marlins are 36-39 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Nationals are 54-35 when they hit at least one homer.
