The Nationals are 6-12 to start, poor at home, dead last in team pitching, and struggling on offense with the 24th ranked OPS. Their starter Eric Fedde was a bright spot with a pair of 5 inning 2 run outings but things fell apart in his 3rd start. He gave up 6 runs in 3+ innings.

The Nationals are up against Marlins’ hot hand Pablo Lopez. His first two starts were very good, but his third one was an absolute gem (7 innings, 0 runs). Lopez may not need much support, but the Marlins’ bullpen has been very good to date. The Marlins are 3-1 in their last 4 games, and hitting well for average if not for power.

Fedde will have to go some way to match Lopez, and the Nationals haven’t had the stuff to win or hold in the late innings. Take the Marlins to steal this one.