Washington Nationals: 5 to watch in Miami

The long stretch of continuous games end as the Washington Nationals travel to Miami to face the Marlins. Here are five to watch before a needed day off.

The Washington Nationals wrap up 20 games in 20 days with their first three-game set of the year in Miami against the Marlins.

After a successful weekend in Queens visiting the New York Mets, taking three of four, the Nats have reclaimed their double-digit lead over the rest of the NL East. With a day off looming on Thursday, Washington would love to take two of three before returning home to face the Cincinnati Reds.

At 24-13 away from the friendly confines of Nationals Park, Washington has the third-best road record in the game behind the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies. Their 5.5 runs per game is second behind the New York Yankees at 5.8.

Would you believe after 69 games the Nats have played only 13 games against teams with a winning record? It is true. They are 7-6 against other winners and 35-20 versus teams with losing records.

Miami comes into this tilt at 30-37.

They come home from a short three-game road trip in Atlanta where they dropped two-of-three against the Braves. The Marlins draw four against the Chicago Cubs and three with the Mets after the Nats leave town, making this a potentially tough homestand.

Although Washington will not see Wei-yin Chen or Martin Prado due to injuries, Justin Bour, Dee Gordon and Ichiro Suzuki expect to play along with their bigger stars.

With that, here are five players to watch as the Nats and Marlins play at the home of this year’s All-Star Game.

CHRISTIAN YELICH

With rumors of another team makeover, pending an inevitable sale by Jeffery Loria, Christian Yelich’s name is on top of rumored lists. As Jayson Werth continues to recover from a foot contusion from the west coast road trip, Yelich’s name is making the rounds from Nats fans on social media.

Is he worth it?

This year’s Yelich is a step back from the 2016 Silver Slugger who crushed 62 extra-base hits while driving in 98. A slash line of .277/.351/.403 gives an OPS of .754. When adjusted for league average and ballpark, it is a pedestrian 103. In his five-year career, that is a low.

Now a fixture in centerfield, there is a need for the Nats long term if Michael Taylor fizzles. Yelich is a better offensive option, but does not dazzle with the glove like Taylor. He carries a team-friendly contract with an option giving a new team potential control through the 2022 season.

For the moment, the fresh-faced Yelich loves to hit at home. At Marlins Park, his .287 average is 20 points higher than on the road. An amazing feat since he has 35 hits both home and away, just nine more at-bats away separate the numbers.

In the three-game opening series in Washington, Yelich went 4-for-13 but did not drive in any runs or capture an extra-base hit. He scored twice. The amateur scout in us will watch closely over the next three games.

TANNER ROARK

June has not been a kind month for Tanner Roark.

After finding his form at the end of May, Roark is 1-2 this month in three starts with an ERA of 6.27. Opponents are hitting .321 in this stretch, crushing four home runs. Already allowing more earned runs than the first two individually, Monday’s start in Miami is important.

Only twice in 14 starts has Roark thrown under 100 pitches, both topped at 97, but four times out Roark failed to go past five. Including his last game, a head scratching pounding by the Atlanta Braves.

Control is not the issue for Roark. Overall, 62 percent of his pitches are strikes. The problem is movement. There is not any and teams make him pay. The Braves rattled him for nine hits and seven earned runs on Flag Day. Before that, the Texas Rangers induced 11 hits and two homers over six. Remember, his 2.83 ERA last year was better than Max Scherzer. You know, the Cy Young winner?

Although the 6-4 record is good, the 4.39 ERA and 1.357 WHIP are not. Both are career-highs. Almost halfway through the season, you can no longer blame is lack of use in the World Baseball Classic as the problem. With a huge division lead, there is plenty of time to work through whatever the issues are.

Roark beat Miami to start his 2017 season, fanning six over six scattering two solo homers.

EDINSON VOLQUEZ

Do not let his 3-7 record fool you. Edinson Volquez will be in demand next month.

With a no-hitter under his belt this year, Volquez has improved from his disastrous campaign with the Kansas City Royals last year. Over 72.2 innings in 13 starts, his 7.3 hits-per-9 rate is the lowest since 2009 with the Cincinnati Reds. However, his 39 walks give you pause.

Always wild, his 4.8 BB/9 is the highest since Volquez led the NL in walks with the San Diego Padres in 2009. Still, with the good hit ratio, his WHIP of 1.349 is close to what he had with the Royals in their 2015 championship season. Under contract for 2018, a contender will want his services.

A six-inning pitcher most nights, his no-hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks was a work of art. With only two walks, he fanned a season-high 10 at home on June 3. Perhaps most impressive for a pitcher with control issues is needing 98 pitches to pull off the no-no.

A loser of his first seven decisions, Volquez followed up his moment with a strong seven-inning three-hitter in Pittsburgh. Last time out, it caught up with him as the Oakland Athletics chased him after four frames with four hits and walks for five runs.

Starting Opening Day in Washington, Volquez pitched five solid scoreless innings, fanning six on four hits before getting yanked.

BRYCE HARPER

Bryce Harper is having the quietest 11-game hitting streak you can imagine.

Now 15-for-46 since the west coast road trip ended, his .326 average is impressive but not earthshattering. Ten of his hits are singles, mixed with three doubles and two homers. Although six RBI is nothing to sneeze at, there has not been a game you can point at as great. Consistent is another story.

Four games on this streak Harper did not whiff. He is swinging too as he drew six walks.

Although it may not be sexy, this is the Harper you want to see. Surprisingly, his on-base percentage has dropped from .427 to .422. Five times over this stretch, Washington scored three runs or less. They dropped every game.

Overall, his OPS of 1.028 adjusts to 164. Matched against Giancarlo Stanton in this titanic battle of right fielders, this looks like a showcase. Both will be in Miami on the same team for the All-Star Game.

On pace for a 40-home run and 100 RBI campaign, Harper must continue what he is doing. There are times when he chases bad pitches, but nowhere near as bad as last year.

His big Opening Day home run was part of a 3-for-10 series and set the table for his productive season.