This is an 8* SLUG-FEST on the OVER between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins.

When the smoke clears at the end of this one, I look for the total to eclipse the posted number. Both teams enter this series with playoff aspirations. Miami has won four straight and seven of eight after sweeping the Astros over the weekend; the Fish were 6-1 on their road trip. However, note that the Marlins have lost eight of their last 11 at home behind a poor 5.55 ERA from the rotation. The home side sends Nathan Eovaldi (5-6, 4.20 ERA) to the hill; Eovaldi is 0-3 with a deplorable 6.39 ERA in his last five starts, most recently getting shelled for five runs off six hits over seven frames in his team's 6-1 loss in Atlanta on Wednesday. Unfortunately for Eovaldi, a date vs. the hard-hitting Nationals is not what the doctor ordered to get untracked as he's just 2-2 with a poor 5.06 ERA in four career starts vs. them. The visitors counter with Jordan Zimmermann (6-5, 3.20 ERA) who has looked shaky of late in giving up eight earned runs over 8 1/3's innings spanning his last two starts. And like Eovaldi, unfortunately for Zimmermann this likely isn't the best opponent to get back on track against as he's posted a 6.59 ERA vs. the Marlins this year. Expect these two struggling starters to get chased early and for this total to go OVER the number as the game comes down the stretch.

AAA Sports