Marlins vs. Nationals: Start time, how to watch, game thread and Fish Picks—May 2, 2021

Welcome to Sunday’s Marlins (11-15, +6 RD) vs. Nationals (11-12, -16 RD) game thread. I can say objectively that we will be treated to the best pitching matchup on the baseball schedule today.

During every Marlins game, join in on the Fish Picks prop bets fun. It’s always free to participate and the prizes are real. Please use this link!

Picks are only valid if submitted to us prior to first pitch.

At the end of each month, the Fish Picks points leader—whoever has the most total correct picks—will receive a t-shirt of their choice from our partners at Legends of Dade! Congrats to April 2021 champion MiamiMarlins_UK. Everybody’s point totals have been reset as we begin the month of May.

The Fish Picks leaderboard will be updated daily.

Grid View

Marlins Lineup

1. 2B Isan Díaz
2. 3B Jon Berti
3. 1B Garrett Cooper
4. LF Corey Dickerson
5. RF Lewis Brinson
6. C Sandy León
7. SS José Devers
8. CF Monte Harrison
9. LHP Trevor Rogers (2021 season stats: 1.29 ERA, 2.00 FIP, 34.9 K%, 45.8 HardHit% in 28.0 IP)

Baseball Savant

Notes: Corey Dickerson (groin) is feeling well enough to make his first start of the series...Rogers has never faced the Nationals before. Could we see more sliders than usual from him today? The Nats are third-worst among MLB teams this season with a .244 xwOBA against sliders...Our own Juan Páez draws attention to Jesús Aguilar’s constantly improving strikeout rate...The well-rested pitchers available out of the Marlins bullpen (haven’t pitched in at least two days) are Anthony Bass, Dylan Floro, Yimi García and Zach Pop.

Nationals Lineup

1. CF Víctor Robles
2. LF Josh Harrison
3. SS Trea Turner
4. 1B Ryan Zimmerman
5. 3B Starlin Castro
6. C Yan Gomes
7. RF Yadiel Hernández
8. 2B Jordy Mercer
9. RHP Max Scherzer (2021 season stats: 3.00 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 32.8 K%, 39.4 HardHit% in 30.0 IP)

Baseball Savant

Notes: The Marlins did fairly well against Scherzer in 2020, making him throw a very inefficient 4.54 pitches per plate appearance in his two starts...Washington is still missing superstar Juan Soto (left shoulder strain), but would you believe that Yadiel Hernández, Josh Harrison, Ryan Zimmerman and Trea Turner have all been better hitters than Soto (in terms of wRC+) so far? Watch out for those guys who typically bat near the top of the lineup.

How to watch/listen/follow

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET. Watch on Bally Sports Florida or listen to the radio broadcast on 940 WINZ.

Louis Addeo Weiss (@addeo_louis00) will handle the game recap article.

Fish Picks

Please submit your picks for the following props. The contest locks at first pitch.

1. Which team scores first? (Marlins/Nationals)
2. Which pitcher gets more strikeouts? (Rogers/Scherzer)
3. Over/Under 2:59 time of game? (Over/Under)
4. Will Monte Harrison make an appearance? (Yes/No)
5. Who wins? (Marlins/Nationals)