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Washington Nationals at Marlins Series Preview (5/20-5/22)

By Ricky Keeler

May 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher David Phelps (right) celebrates with Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (left) after the Marlins defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4 at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher David Phelps (right) celebrates with Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (left) after the Marlins defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4 at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
May 17, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Max Scherzer (4-3, 4.01) vs. Adam Conley (3-2, 3.40) – 1:10 p.m, MASN/WUSA9

Even though Scherzer had a strong outing against the Mets, he was the hard luck loser in Tuesday night’s battle against Noah Syndergaard. Scherzer went 6.1 innings, gave up two runs on three hits, struck out ten, and walked three on 98 pitches in a 2-0 loss.

The problem for Scherzer continues to be the home runs as he has allowed 13 of them this season and eight in the last three games. With that being said, he has struck out 30 batters combined in the last two games and his 46 K’s are second in the NL this month behind Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers (48).

In his only start against the Marlins this season, Scherzer went five innings, gave up five runs on eight hits, struck out three, and walked two in a loss back on April 21. Martin Prado is 11-for-22 (.500) against him with a home run and three RBI’s in his career.

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Scherzer will go up against Conley, who has a 2.93 ERA in his three outings this month. Against the Phillies back on May 16, the 25-year-old left-hander went six innings, gave up one run on eight hits, struck out five, and walked one in the win.

Unlike Scherzer, Conley has not given up many home runs. He has allowed only three homers this year and none in his last four outings. Back in that start against the Phillies, he did allow 13 flyball outs, which is the most he’s had this year.

Conley has made two starts against the Washington Nationals this season and he is 0-1 with a 8.22 ERA. Back on April 19, he shut out the Nats for the first six innings, but gave up solo home runs to Werth and Wilson Ramos in the seventh inning in a loss. Ramos is 2-for-6 with a pair of home runs against Conley.

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Prediction: If my prediction holds true and the Nats lose the first two games, they will need Scherzer to have a strong outing. While the Marlins have a few hitters that can hit the ball out of the park, I think the Nats’ offense will do enough against Conley to squeak out a win and avoid the sweep.

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