Coming off a series loss to the Boston Red Sox and a Sunday break, the Miami Marlins return to the field to make a late playoff push, facing the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.
Last weekend, both National League East rivals battled at LoanDepot Park. The Marlins wound up sweeping the series, winning 6-2 in the final matchup. However, playing on the road (26-39) has not been so kind to the clubhouse.
Despite navigating through some injuries, the Marlins still have a fighting chance (four games behind) for the last Wild Card spot in the National League.
The Nationals are starting Jackson Kent on the mound. He's produced an 8.03 ERA and a 0-2 record in 12.1 innings (three starts). Kent, a major league rookie, was called up from Triple-A a couple of weeks ago. In 13 starts with the Rochester Red Wings, he's produced a 4.38 ERA and an 8-3 record in 63.2 innings.
Kent relies on five pitches :
- Four Seamer (40.9 percent)
- Changeup (23.8 percent)
- Slider (22.6 percent)
- Curveball (9.9 percent)
- Sinker (2.8 percent)
Kent started against the Marlins in last weekend's series finale. In four innings, he allowed four hits and three earned runs. There's familiarity from both the mound and batter's box.
Meanwhile, Eury Perez will start on Monday. He's produced a 1.80 ERA and a 4-3 record since June 6, when the 23-year-old was officially activated from the injured list. Perez relies on six pitches :
Four Seamer (38.6 percent)
- Sinker (16.9 percent)
- Slider (16.1 percent)
- Sweeper (13.8 percent)
- Changeup (8.9 percent)
- Curveball (5.8 percent)
In Perez's last three starts, he allowed eight hits and two runs (one earned) in 18 innings. Something has clicked for him later in the season, which has benefited the Marlins' pitching staff.
In the lineup, left fielder Heriberto Hernandez will leadoff. He leads the team with 20 home runs. Agustin Ramirez (batting second) will start at designated hitter. Kyle Stowers (batting sixth) will reclaim first base, Leo Jimenez (batting seventh) at third, Esteury Ruiz (batting eighth) at center field, and Javier Sanoja (batting fourth) at right field.
Griffin Conine, Jakob Marsee, and Owen Caissie are available to come off the bench.
The game will be televised on Nationals.TV and Marlins.TV . For radio options, you can find the Nationals' broadcast on WJFK 106.7 and the Marlins on 560 AM WQAM and WAQI 710.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. E.T.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes , Miami Heat , and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: alexagmu@gmail.com & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
