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Junk Starts, Marlins Seek Desperate Win Against Nationals
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- Junk Starts, Marlins Seek Desperate Win Against Nationals
(Brad Mills-Imagn Images)
After back-to-back losses, the Miami Marlins still have an opportunity to even the series against the Washington Nationals .
In Saturday's game, Sandy Alcantara was in a jam in the third inning. He allowed four earned runs on four hits. Alcantara was pulled after six innings and finished cleanly. The Marlins responded in the seventh inning with four earned runs. After forcing extra innings, Michael Peterson loaded the bases and center fielder Dylan Crews drove in the game-winning run to secure a 5-4 win.
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Although the Marlins are still alive in the National League Wild Card race, there aren't many opportunities left.
Pitching Matchup
Andrew Alvarez will start on the mound. He's produced a 3.72 ERA and a 2-6 record in 84.2 innings (20 games). Alvarez has started in his last five appearances. He relies on five pitches :
- Curveball (31 percent)
- Four Seamer (28.2 percent)
- Slider (21.8 percent)
- Sinker (14.9 percent)
- Changeup (4.2 percent)
Meanwhile, the Marlins are starting Janson Junk . He's produced a 4.21 ERA and a 6-8 record in 98.1 innings (20 games). Junk relies on six pitches :
- Four Seamer (35.7 percent)
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- Slider (20.4 percent)
- Changeup (17.9 percent)
- Sweeper (13.8 percent)
- Curveball (7.9 percent)
- Sinker (4.2 percent)
In the series finale against the Boston Red Sox , Junk was called from the bullpen. In his lone appearance in the eighth inning, he didn't allow a hit or run.
Junk threw eight pitches.
Game Notes
In the lineup, left fielder Heriberto Hernandez will lead off. He has two hits in eight at-bats in this series, including three runs batted in and two homers.
Agustin Ramirez (batting third) returns to the lineup as a designated hitter, Leo Jimenez (batting seventh) will start at first base, and Brian Navarreto (batting ninth) will operate behind the plate.
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Kyle Stowers won't start, but he's available to come off the bench and pinch hit.
The Marlins have left 15 base-runners stranded in this series, wasting several opportunities. Stringing consistent at-bats will be the major difference in returning to the win column.
How to Watch and Listen
The game will be televised on Peacock and NBC Sports. A subscription is required. More information is at Peacocktv.com to navigate plans and payment. For radio options, you can find the Nationals broadcast on WJFK 106.7 and the Marlins on WQAM 104.3 and WAQI 710.
First pitch is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. E.T.
