Miami @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 28, 2013 ) Miami 3, Washington 4
Denard Span and Bryce Harper have provided a powerful punch at the plate as the Washington Nationals attempt to keep their faint postseason aspirations alive. Winners of seven of their last eight, the Nationals vie for a sweep on Thursday when they wrap up a three-game series against the reeling Miami Marlins. Span extended his hitting streak to 11 games and scored the go-ahead run on Ian Desmond's RBI single while Harper ripped an RBI double to push his streak to 10 in Wednesday's 4-3 triumph.
The victory kept Washington within seven games of Cincinnati for the second wild card in the National League. Miami is far from a playoff contender - having dropped seven of eight to make itself at home in the basement of the senior circuit. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who homered to lead off the sixth inning on Wednesday, has hit safely in four straight and 13 of 14 contests.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (3-8, 4.45 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (7-6, 3.72)
Koehler saw his winless stretch extend to four games despite yielding just one run on six hits in seven innings in a no-decision versus Colorado on Friday. The 27-year-old has issued multiple walks in five of his last six contests. Koehler has yet to face the Nationals in his career.
Gonzalez looks to rebound after a brutal seven-run, 10-hit outing against Kansas City on Friday. The 27-year-old avoided receiving a decision in that contest, but hasn't won since handcuffing Philadelphia on July 10. Gonzalez scattered two hits over six sizzling innings to pick up the win against Miami in a 3-0 triumph on April 3.
WALK-OFFS
1. Desmond collected three hits in both games of the series. He is 13-for-28 in his last seven contests.
2. Miami C Jeff Mathis snapped a four-game hitless streak by homering and driving in a pair on Wednesday.
3. Washington has won eight of the 11 meetings between the NL East rivals.
PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Marlins 1