Coming off of a loss to Miami native Gio Gonzalez and the Washington Nationals, the Miami Marlins will look to bounce back in game two of the three game series. Brad Hand will start in place of Jacob Turner, who was scratched late Tuesday night because of a shoulder injury.
Pitching Matchup
PROJ ERA | FIP | ERA | MARLINS | Nationals | ERA | FIP | PROJ ERA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.70 | 3.82 | 0.00 | Hand | Zimmermann | 1.80 | 3.42 | 3.35 |
Hand will make his first start of the season after he was given a bullpen role as a result of Tom Koehler earning the fifth spot in the rotation. Hand was chosen to start after Jacob Turner's strained right shoulder has led to a stint on the disabled list. Should Hand struggle, Kevin Slowey is a long relief option coming out of the bullpen. Both Hand and Slowey have starting experience.
In his last start, Zimmermann went five innings and gave up a lone run to the Braves. He also struck out nine and walked just one batter facing Atlanta's lineup.
Lineups
PROJ WOBA | WOBA | MARLINS | Nationals | WOBA | PROJ WOBA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
.328 | .257 | Christian Yelich | Denard Span | .303 | .310 |
.310 | .520 | Derek Dietrich | Anthony Rendon | .454 | .344 |
.462 | .387 | Giancarlo Stanton | Jayson Werth | .436 | .360 |
.324 | .322 | Garrett Jones | Adam LaRoche | .497 | .334 |
.321 | .318 | Casey McGehee | Ryan Zimmerman | .376 | .352 |
.326 | .327 | Jarrod Saltalamacchia | Ian Desmond | .308 | .331 |
.326 | .399 | Marcell Ozuna | Bryce Harper | .165 | .379 |
.279 | .350 | Adeiny Hechavarria | Jose Lobaton | .263 | .330 |
Against the right-handed Zimmermann, Christian Yelich is in the leadoff spot and Derek Dietrich replaces Jeff Baker at second base. Garrett Jones moved up a spot and will hit cleanup behind Giancarlo Stanton, and Adeiny Hechavarria is in the eight spot. Miami's offense struggled to score runs against Gio Gonzalez, and Zimmermann is an essential part of a solid Washington pitching staff.
Against Brad Hand, the Nationals put Anthony Rendon in the two spot with Bryce Harper batting seventh. Ryan Zimmerman is back in the lineup after fighting a shoulder injury.
Notes
-How will Brad Hand fare in his first start of 2014? Hand had a successful spring but made the team primarily because he is out of options. If he can keep his pitches down in the strike zone, he should at the very least keep the Marlins in the game.
-Can the offense produce? Gonzalez kept the Marlins off the board on Tuesday night, and with Yelich and Dietrich atop the order, production will be essential.
Bold Prediction: Marlins def. Nationals 3-2