MIAMI - The last time the Nationals owned a .500 record, they were wrapping up a late April series in Colorado. Trea Turner was on the injured list with a fractured index finger. Anthony Rendon was out of the lineup but not yet on the IL with a bruised elbow. Ryan Zimmerman had just landed awkwardly on his right foot. Trevor Rosenthal had been on the active roster since opening day.
With a win tonight, the Nationals would not only sweep the Marlins but would reach the coveted .500 mark for the first time since April 23. Back then, they were 11-11. Tonight, they could be 40-40, having climbed all the way back from a 19-31 start. There's still a whole lot of work to do over the season's second half, but they've already worked awfully hard just to get themselves back to this point.
Stephen Strasburg
The Nationals lineup had more success in its previous game against Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, scoring five runs in five innings on May 25 against the right-hander. Davey Martinez again has Matt Adams at first base and Brian Dozier at second base, though Dozier has been moved down to the No. 8 spot behind Victor Robles.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Marlins Park
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Indoors
NATIONALS (39-40)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Matt Adams
C Kurt Suzuki
CF Victor Robles
2B Brian Dozier
RHP Stephen Strasburg
MARLINS (30-48)
SS Miguel Rojas
LF Harold Ramirez
RF Garrett Cooper
3B Brian Anderson
1B Neil Walker
2B Starlin Castro
CF JT Riddle
C Bryan Holaday
RHP Sandy Alcantara