The Miami Marlins (58-85, 65-78 RL, 62-76-5 O/U) battle the Washington Nationals (40-94, 63-79 RL, 67-70-5 O/U) in the first of a three-game divisional series on Friday night. The Marlins will send Jesus Luzardo to the hill. The Nationals reply with Josia Gray. The Marlins lead the season series by a 12-1 mark.
Jesus Luzardo will make the start in the series opener. Luzardo was clobbered last time out, squandering five runs in only 3.1 innings against the Mets, and was tagged with the loss to plummet to 3-7. The young left-hander posted a stellar 2.97 ERA last month and features a 3.81 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 75.2 innings pitched on the season. Luzardo has yet to pitch against the Nationals this season and has allowed 14 runs in 13 career innings against the foes.
The Marlins' struggles continue. They have lost five out of their last six games and as the offense continues to slump. They dropped a home series to the Phillies this week and are 3-7 in their last ten games. The fish have lost five out of their last six road clashes.
Brian Anderson is in a groove, bashing tw o homers with four RBIs in his last five games. The veteran third baseman is having a subpar year, collecting 26 RBIs and a .687 OPS. Anderson is hitting .273 with three RBIs against the Nationals this season. Jorge Soler and Jazz Chisholm are out for the remainder of the season.
The Marlins are only averaging 3.55 runs per game, ranking them 28th overall. The pitching staff is a strength, amassing a 3.97 team ERA, placing them 18th in the Major Leagues.