Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins: Grapefruit League GameThread

Aníbal Sánchez is set to make his third start of the Spring tonight when the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals take on the Miami Marlins in Grapefruit League action from Jupiter, FL’s Roger Dean Stadium.

It’s radio only tonight with Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler calling the action from the Marlins’ Spring home at 7:05 PM EST on 106.7 the FAN in D.C. (and MLB.com).

Sánchez, who turned 36 last month, is coming off a three-inning, 49-pitch outing against the New York Mets last week in which he gave up four hits, two walks, and two runs, both earned.

“I feel really good today,” Sánchez told reporters, as quoted by MASN’s Pete Kerzel, after facing the Mets.

“A little bit off with my command early in the game, but after that, I try to send every pitch on the corners. It was working pretty good after the first inning.”

His manager, Davey Martinez, said that even though Sánchez struggled in the first inning, he was not off by much, and improved the second and third time around.

“His first inning, he couldn’t find the strike zone, but after that, he settled down. ... He didn’t miss by much,” Martinez said. “I told him, ‘Don’t get frustrated, you really didn’t miss by much.’ But he was good.”

Through two starts, Sánchez has given up six hits, two walks, and three earned runs, with five strikeouts and a .300 BAA in five innings of work.

Sánchez and the Nationals keep building towards Opening Day tonight, under the lights in Jupiter after last night’s 11-0 loss to the Cardinals in West Palm Beach.

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR TONIGHT’S GAME WITH THE FISH: