Monday, April 18, 2016

Nats look to start new streak vs. Fernandez, Marlins

After their seven-game winning streak ended with Sunday's extra-inning walk-off loss, the Nationals will try to begin a new streak in Monday's series opener against Jose Fernandez and the Marlins at Marlins Park.
The Marlins were the only team to beat Washington this season -- April 7 at Nationals Park -- before the Phillies rallied for the win on Sunday.
Right-hander Tanner Roark will get the start for the Nationals in the series opener. Roark is 2-2 with a 2.39 ERA in six appearances at Marlins Park. In his last start, the Nationals needed Roark to make the start a day earlier because Stephen Strasburg had the flu. The change of plans didn't hurt Roark on Wednesday, as he pitched seven shutout innings against the Braves.
Bryce Harper has a streak of his own, with homers in 4 straight games for the first time in his career.
Fernandez will start for Miami. Fernandez is off to a slow start, but he is 3-0 with a 0.98 ERA in six career games against the Nationals.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly shook up the lineup on Sunday, moving Martin Prado from fifth to second, while dropping Marcell Ozuna from the two spot to sixth. Justin Bour moved to fifth, behind Giancarlo Stanton.
"Just a little bit different look," Mattingly said. "I wanted to get J.B. in that five hole, he's been swinging it good. I didn't really want to move Martin back. Prado, I like him behind Giancarlo, because I know he's a guy who can handle all situations. But in the two spot, he knows how to use the hole there at second. He's a guy who takes pitches. A little different look in the two hole for us."
Things to know about this game
• Jayson Werth is looking for his 200th career home run. When he does it, he will join Alfonso Soriano, Adam LaRoche, and Ryan Zimmerman as the only players to hit their 200th homer in a Nationals uniform.
• The Marlins have to be careful with Harper, who has a .325 career batting average with 17 home runs, 40 RBIs and a .613 slugging percentage against them.
• Stanton and Prado have been thorns in the Nationals' side over the years. Stanton is hitting .316 with 24 home runs and 60 RBIs against the Nats, while Prado is hitting .313 with 10 homers and 48 RBIs.

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