Game 34 Thread: Marlins vs Nationals

The Miami Marlins and the Washington Nationals kick off a four game series tonight at the Nationals Park. The Nationals (21-13), had quite a performance from their starting pitcher the last time they took the field.

Max Scherzer was on the mound on Wednesday, and he tied an MLB record, as he had 20 strikeouts in a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. Gio Gonzalez will be given the impossible task of following that incredible performance. Gonzalez will be on the mound for the Nationals tonight, while Tom Koehler takes the hill for the Marlins.

Bryce Harper was suspended for one game on Monday because of his actions in a 3-2 win over the Tigers, but he is appealing the suspension, meaning he will be playing tonight.

That is very bad news for Koehler and the Marlins. Harper is 9-28 lifetime with six home runs against Koehler. He hit one of those six in a 5-1 loss in Miami this year.

The Marlins (18-15), have won seven of their last eight road games. Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy is batting an MLB best .409, and he is batting .429 against the Marlins this season. Koehler is 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA against the Nationals this year. The NL East rivals have split the six their six meetings this year.