Marlins vs. Nationals: Start time, how to watch, game thread and Fish Picks—August 22, 2020

Welcome to Saturday’s Marlins (10-9) vs. Nationals (9-13) game thread. To make up for the previously scheduled series that was postponed between these two teams, they’ll be playing a doubleheader this afternoon/evening (each game will be seven innings long).

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Game 1 Marlins Lineup

1. 2B Jonathan Villar
2. 1B Jesús Aguilar
3. C Francisco Cervelli
4. 3B Brian Anderson
5. DH Jorge Alfaro
6. LF Corey Dickerson
7. CF Lewis Brinson
8. RF Jesús Sánchez
9. SS Miguel Rojas

P Daniel Castano (4.35 ERA, 6.66 FIP, 14.3 K%, 39.4 Hard Hit% in 10.1 IP)

Baseball Savant

Game 2 Probable Starter: Sixto Sánchez

Notes: A report this morning suggested that the Marlins may be actively trying to improve their major league roster prior to the trade deadline. It’s the first time since 2016 that the club can take this approach...Right-hander Jesús Tinoco (acquired from the Rockies earlier this month) is the “29th man” for this doubleheader. He’ll be an option out of the bullpen...Don Mattingly still has not confirmed that we will be seeing Sixto Sánchez start the nightcap, but all indications are that the Marlins will add him from the taxi squad to the active roster in between games. Read up on Sánchez—his background, skill set and our expectations for him—here.

Game 1 Nationals Lineup

1. SS Trea Turner
2. LF Juan Soto
3. DH Howie Kendrick
4. 1B Asdrúbal Cabrera
5. C Kurt Suzuki
6. 2B Josh Harrison
7. 3B Carter Kieboom
8. CF Víctor Robles
9. RF Michael A. Taylor

P Max Scherzer (3.71 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 34.5 K%, 36.5 Hard Hit% in 26.2 IP)

Baseball Savant

Game 2 Probable Starter: Wil Crowe

Notes: Will Scherzer go the distance? He has made 163 regular season starts since joining the Nationals and pitched seven-plus innings on 89 of those occasions (54.6% of the time)...Not to be overshadowed by the fearsome Soto, Turner has also been swinging a hot bat (.365/.431/.673, 4 HR, 193 wRC+ over the last 14 days)...Opposite Sixto Sánchez, the right-hander Crowe will also be making his major league debut. Washington transferred Stephen Strasburg (carpal tunnel neuritis) to the 45-day injured list. He will be out for the rest of the regular season.

How to watch/listen/follow

First pitch of the day is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. The second game of the doubleheader will begin approximately 30 minutes after the first one concludes. Watch on FOX Sports Florida and via MLB.TV or listen on 940 WINZ.

Fish Picks

Please comment below or tweet to @fishstripes with your picks for the following props. The contest locks at the start of the first game.

1. Which team gets the first hit? (Marlins/Nationals)
2. Over/Under 2:33 time of game? (Over/Under)
3. Will Max Scherzer pitch a complete game? (Yes/No)
4. Who wins? (Marlins/Nationals)
5. Which starter lasts longer? (Sixto Sánchez/Crowe)
6. Over/Under 6.5 Marlins hits? (Over/Under)
7. Will Mel Stottlemyre Jr. make any mound visits? (Yes/No)
8. Who wins? (Marlins/Nationals)