Game 63: Marlins at Nats

Andrew Alvarez makes his first official start of the season, hoping to help the Nationals avoid a series sweep

The last situation the Nationals wanted to find themselves in today was this, needing a win to avoid being swept by the Marlins. But here we are, the result of back-to-back, 7-3 losses in games that were quite winnable until the ninth inning. For those who remember the team’s disastrous (and, ultimately, franchise-changing) losing streak last June, this might bring up some particularly bad memories.

So, the pressure’s on Andrew Alvarez to some extent to put forth a quality start and give his team a chance to win today. Alvarez makes his first official start of the season, having only pitched in bulk relief to this point. Given the left-handed-heavy Miami lineup, it wouldn’t have made any sense to use an opener in front of Alvarez, so he’ll get the opportunity to treat this like a normal start. Look for Brad Lord to replace him, if needed, in the middle innings. And pretty much all of the prominent right-handed relievers should be available to finish this one out.

Blake Butera has made some slight tweaks to his lineup today against Marlins right-hander Max Meyer. Most notably: Dylan Crews has been bumped up to the No. 2 spot, with Butera perhaps hoping he’ll see more pitches to hit batting in between James Wood and Curtis Mead. That does move Luis Garcia Jr. down to the No. 8 position, where we’ve rarely seen him in recent years.

MIAMI MARLINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Sunny, 80 degrees, wind 8 mph in from left

MARLINS
LF Heriberto Hernández
SS Otto Lopez
RF Kyle Stowers
2B Xavier Edwards
DH Christopher Morel
CF Esteury Ruiz
1B Connor Norby
3B Javier Sanoja
C Joe Mack

RHP Max Meyer

NATIONALS
DH James Wood
RF Dylan Crews
3B Curtis Mead
SS CJ Abrams
CF Jacob Young
LF Daylen Lile
C Keibert Ruiz
1B Luis García Jr.
2B Nasim Nuñez

LHP Andrew Alvarez