Washington Nationals Series Preview: Nats at Marlins (9/11-9/13)

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Tanner Roark (4-4, 4.41) vs. Jose Fernandez (4-0, 2.30) – 7:10 PM ET, MASN

On Saturday, Roark will make his first start with the Nationals since it was announced that he would take Joe Ross’ spot in the rotation. Roark did start for the Nats on September 4 against the Braves when Stephen Strasburg was scratched from his start. Roark went 4.1 innings, gave up one run on five hits, struck out three, and walked one on 69 pitches in a no-decision.

While Roark did throw a first pitch strike to 14 of the 21 batters that he faced against the Braves, he was not unable to get the win because of the three walks. It will be interesting to see how far the Nats decide to push Roark in this game because of the bullpen’s struggles. He went from throwing 34 pitches in Harrisburg to 69 on Friday.

In four games (one start) against Miami this season, Roark is 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA and has one save. He is 2-2 with a 2.14 ERA in ten career outings (four starts). Derek Dietrich (.265, 10 HR, 23 RBI’s) is 1-for-5 against him, but that one hit was a home run to go with three RBI’s.

While Stanton is still out for Miami, the Marlins will get Jose Fernandez back in the rotation tomorrow night. Fernandez has been out since August 7 because of a biceps strain. Before that injury, the 23-year-old right-hander was 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA in his last five starts.

Tomorrow night, Fernandez has a chance to make some history if he can find a way to beat the Nationals. With a win, he would improve his record to 16-0 at home in his career, which would give him the most consecutive home victories without a loss in his home park. He has 53 strikeouts this season in seven outings, including two double-digit strikeout games.

Fernandez did face the Nationals back on July 28. The Nats did show great patience at the plate and drew four walks, but they only managed to score one run on four hits over the course of six innings. In four career starts against Washington, he is 2-0 with a 0,69 ERA. Werth is 1-for-11 with a home run and four RBI’s against Fernandez.

Advantage: While I do expect Roark to keep the Nats in the game, Fernandez has been a tough pitcher to face. For one, it might be a good idea for Matt Williams to keep Ian Desmond out of the lineup that night since Desmond is 0-for-12 against Fernandez with ten strikeouts. I do expect the Nats to keep the same gameplan against him from the July matchup by drawing up the pitch count, but I like the Marlins to get the win in the second game of this series.

Next: Sunday's Matchup