Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Washington Nationals

Man, those pesky Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins (21-19) are now 2-4 against the Phightin' Phils this season, dropping their second straight series two games to one against them this past Wednesday. In what is shaping up to be an ultra-competitive NL East, these games are important, so it would behoove the Marlins to right the ship against the Phillies as we move deeper into the season.

Fortunately, they've been much more competitive against the team coming into town.

If it feels like you've seen a lot of the Washington Nationals, it's because you have. In fact, after this series, the Marlins will not play them again until September for a three game set, and then again in the final series of the season for three. Nine more chances to have a direct impact on what is presently a division leading ball club.

The Nationals come into this one having taken two of three from the fellow NL East rival New York Mets, including a 9-1 thrashing yesterday of beleaguered Mets starter Matt Harvey. Before that, the Fish played the Nats to a four game split. The series prior, a four game split. The one before that, a two game split. Overall, the Nationals and Marlins are even at five games apiece. We will finally break the tie, one way or another, with the three game series this weekend.

The Marlins are three and a half games back of said Nationals in the tightly packed NL East standings and will likely remain in fourth place even with a sweep given that the Phillies play the Atlanta Braves and the Mets play host to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Hot Nats Hitters (last seven days, minimum ten PA)

Anthony Rendon - .391/.533/.435

Jayson Werth - .353/.476/.412

Daniel Murphy - .333/.333/.500

Cold Nats Hitters (last seven days, minimum ten PA)

Bryce Harper - .188/.500/.375

Stephen Drew - .167/.400/.667

Ben Revere - .143/.200/.214

Smokin' Hot Fish (last seven days, minimum ten PA)

J.T. Realmuto - .348/.400/.435

Marcell Ozuna - .333/.436/.579

Adeiny Hechavarria - .333/.364/.439

Cold Sushi (last seven days, minimum ten PA)

Derek Dietrich - .197/.380/.286

Giancarlo Stanton - .143/.200/.286

Justin Bour - .095/.174/.381

Probable Pitching Match-ups:

• Friday May 20th 7:05 ET: Tanner Roark vs Justin Nicolino
• Saturday May 21st 7:15 ET: Joe Ross vs. Jose Fernandez
• Sunday May 22nd 1:10 ET: Max Scherzer vs Adam Conley

If you missed it, check out our brief interview with Federal Baseball's Patrick Reddington from the last time the Nationals and Marlins squared off.

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