Game Details:

Washington Nationals (9-12) at Miami Marlins (9-9)
LHP Patrick Corbin (2–1, 3.91 ERA) | RHP Daniel Castano (0-1, 4.35 ERA)
Friday, August. 21, 2020 | 6:05 p.m. EST | Game #22 | Home #13
Nationals Park | Washington D.C.
TV: MASN 2 | Radio: 106.7 The Fan / Nationals Radio Network

BREAKING NEWS: Multiple outlets are reporting that Stephen Strasburg has carpal tunnel syndrome, Nationals Manager Dave Martinez said. Strasburg saw a nerve specialist yesterday. Dave Martinez said, "it has to be fixed" but didn't commit to surgery yet. It's an option.

Recap from Previous Washington Nationals Game

• The Washington Nationals, who have alternated losses and wins in each of their past six contests, will open a five-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins on Friday night.
• Washington topped the Atlanta Braves, 8–5, on Tuesday night.
• The Washington Nationals bullpen combined to toss 5.0 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just five hits while striking out six and walking one.
• Every batter recorded at least one hit in the Nationals 17-hit attack, with rookie Luis García going 3-for-4.

Latest Miami Marlins News

• Miami currently is in second place in the NL East under the 14-11 Atlanta Braves.
• Miami enters the series having lost five straight games and eight of its past 10. Miami's scheduled game on Thursday night against the New York Mets, which was postponed. Fox Sports Florida reported that a Mets player and a staffer tested positive for COVID-19, causing the postponement.
• Hernandez started twice against the Nationals last year, going 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA, and he's 0-2 with an 8.02 ERA in eight career appearances (three starts) against Washington.
• Miguel Rojas back off the COVID-19 list. He is one of 18 players who tested positive last month.

Today's GameNotes:

The Washington Nationals tonight open a five-game series against the Miami Marlins, including a doubleheader on Saturday.

What To Watch

Nationals Pitching

To kick off the series tonight, the Washington Nationals will start left-hander Patrick Corbin. Corbin has gone at least six innings in two of his four starts in 2020, bringing his total innings pitched to 23. He currently has struck out 22 and allowed 23 hits, four walks, and only three home runs.

In 2019, against the Marlins Corbin went 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA in four starts. He held Miami hitters to a .165 batting average with 29 strikeouts and just five walks. For his career, he's 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA in 10 starts against the Marlins.

There Is No Place Like Home?

The Nationals haven't found much success at home this season. Currently, their home record is 2-8. Could five-game homestand against the Marlins turn their fortunes around at home??

Juan Doing Juan Things

Juan Soto leads the Washington Nationals in home runs with a total of seven. Currently, his average is .417 with 16 RBI's. Juan Soto also tied for the team led in RBI's with Asdrubal Cabera, who has 16 RBI's. Cabera currently has five home runs and is batting a .280. Additionally, Soto leads baseball in On-base Average with .560

Let The Kid Play

Louis Garica is getting some time to play in the majors after Starlin Castro broke his right wrist on August 14th.

Currently, Garica is only the second player born in the 2000s to break through to the majors. García recently became the first player born in the 2000s to hit a home run.

The Offense Is Hot

The Nationals rank in the National League in batting average (3rd, .263) and on-base percentage (5th, .329).

With runners in scoring position, the Nationals are hitting .302 (4th in the NL) with a .388 on-base percentage (3rd in the NL).

The Nationals have recorded at least 17 hits in three separate games this season, the most in Major League Baseball with Arizona Diamondbacks in second with two 17+ hit games.

Lucky #7

Trea Turner Has Hit Safely In Five Straight Games, Going 10-For-23 (.435), With One Double, One Triple, One Homer, Three RBI, One Walk And Seven Runs Scored During The Streak.

Turner has scored at least one run in nine straight games, tied for the longest streak in MLB in 2020. Turner’s career-long streak is 10 games, April 22-May 2, 2017.

Washington Nationals

• Trea Turner (SS)
• Adam Eaton (RF)
• Juan Soto (LF)
• Asdrubal Cabera (1B)
• Luis Garica (2B)
• Yan Gomes (C)
• Eric Thames (DH)
• Carter Kieboom (3B)
• Victor Robles (CF)

Miami Marlins

• Villar (2B)
• Aguilar (1B)
• Cervelli (C)
• Anderson (3B)
• Dickerson (LF)
• Alfaro (DH)
• Brinson (CF)
• Sanchez (RF)
• Rojas (SS)

Injury Report

• Sean Doolittle, RP 10-Day IL
• Starlin Castro, 2B 10-Day IL
• Sam Freeman, RP 60-Day IL
• Stephen Strasburg, SP 10-Day IL
• Howie Kendrick, DH Day-To-Day