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Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins Series Preview (5/13-5/15)

By Ricky Keeler

May 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) watches as he hits a two run homer during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park. The Marlins won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) watches as he hits a two run homer during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park. The Marlins won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
May 8, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark (57) throws the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

TBD vs. Tanner Roark (2-2, 2.03) – 7:05 p.m ET, MASN2

While it is not official yet who will start for Miami in the doubleheader, MLB.com listed Nicolino as the Game one starter. This afternoon, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald tweeted that Kendry Flores will be the other pitcher tomorrow night since both teams can add a player for one of the games. It is just not confirmed as to which game he will start.

Flores has been in the Marlins organization since December 2014, when he was traded from the San Francisco Giants for Casey McGehee. He did play in seven games (one start) with Miami last season and was 1-2 with a 4.97 ERA.

So far, this season, the 24-year-old right-hander is 1-1 with a 2.59 in six starts with Miami’s triple-A team, the New Orleans Zephyrs. In his last start on May 7, he gave up two runs on five hits and struck out four on 103 pitches in a win. However, he has not struck out more than five batters in any outing this year. He did not face the Nats last year.

It was a tough assignment for Roark in his last outing to go up against one of the best pitchers in the game in Jake Arrieta. However, Roark was able to outpitch him despite getting a no-decision in the Nats’ 13-inning loss against the Cubs. He went six innings, gave up one run (no earned runs) on four hits, struck out seven, and walked two.

Roark has not allowed any earned runs in three of his last four starts and now has the lowest ERA of any Nats’ pitcher in the rotation. Plus, he has pitched six innings or more in six consecutive outings.

His worst start of the year was against the Marlins and Fernandez back on April 18 when he gave up four earned runs over six innings in a loss. He is 2-6 with a 3.88 ERA in 14 games (eight starts) in his career against Miami. Stanton is 5-for-17 (.294) with two home runs and three RBI’s against Roark.

Prediction: Considering the Nats don’t have any experience facing Flores and that it is tough to sweep a doubleheader, I am going to take the Marlins’ offense to have success against Roark (0-2, 6.30 ERA against Miami this season) and get their first win of the series.

Next: Sunday's Matchup

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