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This is the first "repeat" series of the 2013 season, and it couldn't have come at a better time for the Washington Nationals. They get a chance to play the Miami Marlins again after limiting them to one run in the previous three game series.
That will probably be harder to do with the bottom of the rotation going for the Nationals but the Marlins may just be the cure to what ails the Nationals.
Let's take a closer look at the three-game set.
Probable Pitchers
Monday, 7:10 p.m.
WSH: Jordan Zimmermann (2-0, 2.08 ERA)
MIA: Wade LeBlanc (0-2, 3.27 ERA)
Tuesday, 7:10 p.m.
WSH: Dan Haren (1-1, 9.00 ERA)
MIA: Alex Sanabia (1-1, 4.91 ERA)
Wednesday, 7:10 p.m.
WSH: Ross Detwiler (0-0, 0.69 ERA)
MIA: Ricky Nolasco (0-1, 3.12 ERA)
Projected Marlins Lineup (via MLB Depth Charts)
1. LF Juan Pierre (vs RHP)
2. 2B Donovan Solano
3. RF Giancarlo Stanton
4. 3B Placido Polanco
5. CF Justin Ruggiano
6. 1B Greg Dobbs
7. C Rob Brantly
8. SS Adeiny Hechavarria
Marlins Bench
C Miguel Olivo
C Kyle Skipworth
IF Chris Valaika
OF Chris Coghlan
OF Austin Kearns (LF vs LHP)
Marlins Bullpen
RHP Steve Cishek
RHP Jon Rauch
RHP Ryan Webb
LHP Michael Dunn
RHP A.J. Ramos
RHP Chad Qualls
RHP John Maine
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
MIAMI MARLINS
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TEMPERATURE CHECK (Last 7 Days)
Who's Hot
Placido Polanco (MIA): 7/18 (.389/.450/.500), 2 RBI
Giancarlo Stanton (MIA): 1/12, 5 BB (.083/.353/.083), 5 K
Kurt Suzuki (WSH): 3/8 (.375/.583/1.000), 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB
Denard Span (WSH): 9/23 (.391/.481/.435), 6 R, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K, 2 SB
Who's Cold
Juan Pierre (MIA): 3/23 (.130/.200/.130), 2 K
Rob Brantly (MIA): 2/18 (.111/.150/.167), 1 RBI, 6 K
Chad Tracy (WSH): 0/7, 3 K
Danny Espinosa (WSH): 4/21 (.190/.227/.429), 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 K
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Detwiler vs Nolasco
Ross Detwiler is probably not a true number five starter, and Ricky Nolasco is probably not a true ace but this is a matchup that one paper leans Miami's way, but Detwiler has been the more successful pitcher this season. This rubber match could decide the series, and be important for Washington's momentum going forward.
Person Batting After Stanton vs Nationals Pitching
If you look at the Hot/Cold, I listed Stanton as Hot despite his 1/12 because of the five walks and his high on base percentage. However, that doesn't do the Marlins any good. Teams are pitching around Stanton and his current shoulder injury isn't helping anything. How can you stop someone from pitching around you? Have that person hit the ball well. Ryan Zimmerman makes sure no one pulls a Robin Ventura and intentionally walks Bryce Harper. There are studies that prove lineup protection has a minimal effect but in this Marlins lineup it's hard to prove that. If the Marlins cleanup hitter - whether it's Placido Polanco or someone else - is the only one who can make sure Stanton gets something to hit.