Nationals @ Marlins: Game Preview

Nationals vs Marlins

7:10 PM Marlins Park

MASN-2

Story Lines:

• First game back from break, first game with Zimmerman at the top of the rotation.
• Marlins are 9 games back, but won 6 of their last 10.  Hungry to make up ground.
• Braves and Mets (4 and 4.5 games back) will be playing each other during this series.

Pitching Match Up:

• Jordan Zimmermann
• 5-6 with a 2.61 ERA.
• Pitched the last game before the All Star Break, went 6 innings of 1 run baseball.
• 11 homeruns surrendered leads the pitching staff.

• Josh Johnson
• 5-5 with a 4.06 ERA.
• Last pitched July 4, went 5 innings surrendering 5 runs.
• Pitched 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 7 hits last time against Nationals.

Who To Watch:

• Ryan Zimmerman
• Batting .250 with 3 RBI against Johnson in 37 plate appearances.
• Was hitting .261 with 5 RBI and 2 HR in the two series leading up to the break.
• Start of something big?  Lets see how his shoulder is feeling after a few off days.

• Hanley Ramirez
• Batting .462 off Zimmermann in 16 plate appearances.
• Hitting .248 on the year with 12 homeruns.
• Last series against Washington he hit .800.

Keys to the Game:

1. Score Early.  Don't waste time getting back into the swing of things.
2. Get Hanely Out.  He killed the Nats last series.
3. Do What You Do J-zimm.  As always, don't change a thing J-zimm and the wins will come.