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Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals: Game 2 Thread and Ichthyomancy

The Miami Marlins are taking on the Washington Nationals in game two of their three-game opening set. Kevin Slowey will make his first start and face off against Gio Gonzalez.

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports


Current Series

Nationals lead the series 1-0

Mon 04/01 WP: Stephen Strasburg (1 - 0)
SV: Rafael Soriano
LP: Ricky Nolasco (0 - 1)
0 - 2 loss

Miami Marlins
@ Washington Nationals

Wednesday, Apr 3, 2013, 7:05 PM EDT
Nationals Park

Kevin Slowey vs Gio Gonzalez

Clear. Winds blowing from left to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 50.

Complete Coverage >

Thu 04/04 4:05 PM EDT

The Miami Marlins are coming off an acceptable, if still disappointing, 2-0 loss to the Washington Nationals, but they will look to rebound tonight versus the Nats in the second game of their three-game series. Kevin Slowey will make his Marlins regular-season debut opposite of Gio Gonzalez.

Pitching Matchup

Proj Win% Proj ERA FIP ERA Marlins Nationals ERA FIP Proj ERA Proj Win%
.412 4.77 --- --- Slowey Gonzalez -- --- 3.02 .618

Kevin Slowey makes his Marlins regular-season debut and will pitch in his first major league game since 2011 when he was with the Minnesota Twins. The Fish are looking for Slowey to hold the fort and pitch decently until Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez return from injury. When they do, you can expect one of either Slowey or Wade LeBlanc to head to the bullpen thanks to the supposedly permanent promotion of Jose Fernandez to the majors. Slowey's gameplan should be to avoid the walk (3.7 percent career walk rate) and really avoid the home run (3.7 percent career home run rate).

Gio Gonzalez is really good at baseball. What a deal the Nats struck to grab him from the Oakland Athletics, as Gonzalez morphed from a solid pitcher with a walk problem to a dominant co-ace of the Nationals' staff. And to think the Marlins could have been in the hunt to acquire him last season.

Lineup

I prepared this game thread hours in advance, so no lineup yet available. One of you loyal Fish Stripers, please put the lineup in the comments when it does become available, thanks.

Do note that Miguel Olivo is expected to start, as well as Justin Ruggiano, to face the lefty Gonzalez.

Bold Prediction: Nationals def. Marlins 4-1