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Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins Series Preview (4/7-4/10)

By Ricky Keeler

Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) connects for a two run homer during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) connects for a two run homer during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross (41) throws to the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross (41) throws to the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Tom Koehler vs. Joe Ross– 4:05 p.m, MASN

While Fernandez and Chen are the names everyone discusses in the Miami rotation, Tom Koehler has been one of the pitcher that gives the Marlins length in games. Koehler threw 187.1 innings, which led the team. He also led the Marlins in wins (11), strikeouts (137), and ERA (4.08).

The 29-year-old right-hander had a decent first half (7-5, 3.40 ERA), but struggled in the second half of the year. In his final 15 starts, he went 4-9 with a 4.84 ERA. He went 1-3 with a 5.33 ERA in four starts against the Nationals last season. Bryce Harper has had good success in his career as he is 7-for-24 with five home runs and nine RBI’s against him.

Joe Ross will get to start the season in a Major League rotation for the first time in his career. When he came up to the big leagues last season, he showed great poise and good control of his pitches. However, the command was a little sketchy in the second half as he walked 19 batters over his final 13 appearances.

Ross got the start in the last Nats’ exhibition game against the Twins. Although he struck out eight batters over five innings, he gave up eight runs on 12 hits. However, the question going into that start was how much rust Ross had after leaving a start early against Detroit because of taking a line drive off the heel. He pitched 1.2 innings against Miami last season out of the bullpen, so nobody has more than two at-bats against him.

Prediction: This game I think will have the most runs scored out of the three matchups. If you go off of Harper’s success against Koehler, this might be the game where he drives the Nationals to a victory and gives Ross the run support need.

Next: Sunday's Matchup

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