Nats try to gain ground in doubleheader with Marlins
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A sweep of a day/night doubleheader and help from the Pittsburgh Pirates could help the Washington Nationals close the gap in the race for the second wild card spot.
Still, the Nationals enter Sunday a long shot to make the playoffs. Last night's contest against the Miami Marlins was washed out after a near four- hour rain delay before the contest ever started. That necessitated the second day/night DH for the Nationals in a week as they wrap a four-game set.
Washington comes into today 4 1/2 games behind the Reds for the second wild card spot. The Reds are in Pittsburgh today with those teams currently holding the two non-division leading playoff slots.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dan Haren, who is 0-2 in three starts against the Marlins this season, gets the starting assignment for the Nationals in the afternoon contest. Haren is 1-5 in eight all-time contests versus the Marlins. He's 1-2 over his last five appearances overall
Tom Koehler, who is 0-4 over his last eight appearances, counters for the Marlins. The right-hander threw eight shutout innings against the Mets a week ago, but didn't get a decision. He suffered a 9-0 loss at Nationals Park on Aug. 29 when he allowed six runs on seven hits over five innings.
Rookie left-hander Brian Flynn goes for the Marlins in the night game. Flynn is coming off his second consecutive loss, 6-4 at Philadelphia on Tuesday when he allowed six runs on 11 hits over six innings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Stephen Strasburg will make his final home start of the 2013 season in the night contest. The right-hander, who needs six strikeouts to reach 500 for his career, is 2-0 over his last seven outings and hasn't lost since July 30 at Detroit. Strasburg has a 6-3 mark with a 3.86 ERA in 13 games against the Marlins.
The Nationals have yet to lose at home in eight games to the Marlins this season. The Nationals have outscored Miami, 37-7 in DC.
Washington will finish its home schedule today. The Nats are 46-33 at home.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Nationals are 13-4 against the Marlins this season and have prevailed in eight of the past nine matchups between the clubs.