Miami

Marlins to Host First-Place Nationals

The Marlins will open a three-game series with the Nationals on Monday at Marlins Park

The Miami Marlins will host the Washington Nationals for the first of three games on Monday at Marlins Park.

The Nationals are leading the National League East by a wide margin, with Miami in second place. The Marlins are 13 games behind Washington and have begun the process of trading veterans off the roster. With a losing season expected, the Marlins have their eyes on the future.

Washington has little to play for itself, as the Los Angeles Dodgers have all but wrapped up the top seed in the league. With a 5-5 record in the last ten games, Washington's lack of urgency could be showing. The Nationals usually play the Marlins tough and the teams have had some heated moments over the years. Despite the largely meaningless results, these games should still be competitive.

Jose Urena will get the ball in the series opener and will be looking for his tenth win of the season. Urena was hit hard in Texas his last time out, but has been solid overall in 2017. With a 4.04 E.R.A, Urena has kept Miami in most of the games he has pitched. The right-hander is 9-4 on the season, after beginning the year in the bullpen.

Chris O'Grady will throw the first pitch of Tuesday's game and he is coming off the best start of his big-league career. O'Grady went seven shutout innings in his last outing and has a 3.68 R.R.A across four outings. The 27-year old could remain in Miami's rotation for the remainder of the season.

Vance Worley will make his second start since re-joining the rotation on Wednesday. Worley has bounced between the pen and rotation, after starting year in AAA. The veteran is 0-2 with a 6.42 E.R.A and could have trouble with Washington's potent lineup. Worley has allowed six runs in his last eight innings pitched.

Monday's first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Contact Us