Game Notes: Washington Nationals (12–24) at Miami Marlins (15

Game Information

Matchup: Washington Nationals (12–24) at Miami Marlins (15–19)
Pitching Matchup: RHP Aaron Sanchez (2–2, 7.58) | RHP Cody Poteet (0–0, 0.55)
Game Info: Monday, May 16, 2022 | 6:40 p.m. ET | Game #37 / Road #17
Location: loanDepot park | Miami, Fla.
TV/Radio: MASN 2 | Radio: 106.7 The Fan / Nationals Radio Network

Washington Nationals Story Line: The Washington Nationals open road trip with three-game series vs. Miami Marlins

The Washington Nationals open a three-game series against the fourth-place Miami Marlins on Monday night. The first pitch is at 6:40 p.m., and right-handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez takes the mound with a record of 2-2 and an ERA of 7.58. The Marlins will be sending right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet with an ERA of 0.55 to the mound to face the Nationals. In 2021, the Nationals went 5-5. This is the first visit to Miami this season and is part of a six-game, seven-day road trip with a weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

What you Need to Know

Former Fish Returns: Dee-Strange-Gordon faces his old team for the first time since playing for the Marlins from 2015 to 2017. While being with the Marlins, Strange-Gordon hit .309 with 51 doubles, 23 triples, seven home runs, 93 RBI, 68 walks, and 148 stolen bases in 382 games across the three seasons.

Activating GOAT Status for Soto: Juan Soto has hit safely in seven of his last eight games and in 11 of the 13 games since May 1st. During the 13-game stretch, Soto is hitting .288 (15-for-52). Soto has hit three doubles, four home runs, six RBI, seven walks, two stolen bases, and 11 runs scored. Juan Soto still leads Major League Baseball with 28 walks this season.

Cruzing with Ruiz: Keibert Ruiz is 11-34 with a batting average of .324 and has hit two doubles, one home run, six RBI, walked five times, stole one base, and had scored seven runs in his last nine games. Ruiz has also hit safely in six of those nine games and has had 11 multi-hit games this season which is good enough for being tied for seventh in the National League.

The Farm is looking good: The Washington Nationals farm system has a combined record of 75-55, the fifth-best record in Major League Baseball. [Read our Quick Note on what happened on the farm on Sunday]

Aaron Sanchez vs. Marlins: Sanchez has made three career starts against the Miami Marlins and last faced the Marlins on April 22, 2021, pitching 5.0 shutout innings, and only allowing just two hits and sticking out two. In Sanchez's previous start against the New York Mets, he went 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on six hits, striking out one, and allowing no walks.

Lineups (Subject to Change)

Washington Nationals

César Hernández - 2B
Juan Soto - RF
Josh Bell - 1B
Nelson Cruz - DH
Yadiel Hernandez - LF
Keibert Ruiz - C
Maikel Franco - 3B
Dee Strange-Gordon - SS
Victor Robles - CF

Aaron Sanchez - RHP