Opposite dugout: Marlins bullpen taxed after Ureña's antics lead to ejection, suspension

Opposite dugout: Marlins bullpen taxed after Ureña's antics lead to ejection, suspension

Manager: Don Mattingly (3rd season)marlins-logo.jpg

Record: 48-75

Last 10 games: 2-8

Who to watch: C J.T. Realmuto (.293), 2B Starlin Castro (.281), RF Brian Anderson (54 RBIs), SS Miguel Rojas (9 HR, 44 RBIs), RHP Drew Steckenrider (1 save)

Season series vs. Nationals: 3-8

Pitching probables:

Aug. 17: RHP Dan Straily (4-5) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (15-5), 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 18: LHP Wei-Yin Chen (4-9) vs. LHP Tommy Milone (1-1), 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 19: LHP Pablo López (2-3) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (7-9), 1:35 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Marlins:

News broke Thursday afternoon that Marlins CEO Derek Jeter has begun implementing new strategies within the organization to help teach his staff, including both managers and players, to become more fluent in both Spanish and English amid Miami's vibrant Latin culture. This comes after Don Mattingly and the Marlins enter the weekend series against Washington with an exhausted bullpen after José Ureña's antics Wednesay night got him ejected after intentionally striking Braves leadoff man Ronald Acuña Jr. in the first inning, with their 'pen having to cover the remaining eight innings of the matchup. Ureña was subsequently suspended for six games and will miss the series against the Nats. Having had Thursday off in preparation for the weekend series is crucial for this taxed rotation.

Starlin Castro led off the fourth inning Wednesday night with his 10th homer of the season. J.T. Realmuto scored four runs Tuesday against Atlanta for the Marlins, including his team-leading 15th homer of the year. Similar to Davey Martinez with Juan Soto, Mattingly has a star rookie at his disposal. Despite an early slump to start August, 25-year-old Brian Anderson has hit .278 with nine homers and 54 RBIs. In the midst of an injury-plagued summer, the Marlins called up star prospect Austin Dean, who hit .326 with nine homers at Triple-A New Orleans. Miguel Rojas remained out Wednesday in the series finale against the Braves after suffering a left ankle bruise on Monday in the second game of a twinbill. His lone at-bat came in a pinch-hitting opportunity, which suggests he will avoid the disabled list.

Dan Straily faced the Nationals earlier this season on July 26 in a no-decision. He gave up five hits, two homers, three walks and three runs in five innings. He has faced the Nats twice this year, allowing five earned runs in 11 innings. Wei-Yin Chen picked up the loss in his last start August 12 against the Mets. Chen allowed four earned runs on four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out six batters. Rookie Pablo López struggled in his last go-round for the Marlins in the first game of their twinbill against the Braves on Aug. 13. Lopez gave up six runs in five innings in his eighth major league start as the Marlins got manhandled 9-1 by the Braves.

Right-hander Drew Steckenrider (3.29 ERA) will most likely take over the as the closer while Kyle Barraclough (10 saves) is on the DL with lower back stiffness.

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