Marlins at Nationals
While they certainly have their foot on throttle, the Washington Nationals may be running out of road in their quest for a postseason berth. The host Nationals turn to Stephen Strasburg to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive on Saturday when they continue their four-game series against the reeling Miami Marlins. Denard Span's two-run triple capped a seven-run sixth inning as Washington breezed to a convincing 8-0 triumph on Friday.
Despite posting their 12th victory in 14 outings, the Nationals remained five games behind both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the race for the second wild card with eight games remaining on their schedule. "We're going to keep fighting," Span said. "Mathematically, it hasn't looked good for the last month or so, but I've seen a lot of crazy things happen. I've been a part of a lot of crazy things." The Marlins have dropped 12 of their last 15 games.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (3-10, 4.51 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (7-9, 2.96)
Koehler settled for a hard-luck no-decision in his last outing on Saturday as he scattered three hits over eight scoreless innings against the New York Mets. Such is life for the 27-year-old, who hasn't won since Aug. 1 after tossing six sizzling innings in a 3-0 triumph versus the Mets. Koehler struggled versus the Nationals on Aug. 29, allowing six runs on seven hits in five innings en route to a 9-0 loss.
After getting pushed back prior to a pair of scheduled starts, Strasburg looks to be a go on Saturday. The 25-year-old fireballer has been sidelined with forearm tightness - although his throwing session on Thursday went off without a hitch. Strasburg picked up the win in his last outing on Sept. 8 despite permitting four runs on as many hits in six innings against Miami.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington have won all eight home meetings with Miami, outscoring the Marlins by a gaudy 37-7 margin.
2. Marlins 2B Donovan Solano ended RHP Jordan Zimmermann's no-hit bid with a two-out single in the sixth inning on Friday. Solano has hit safely in four straight contests and 10 of his last 11.
3. The Nationals will honor retiring manager Davey Johnson with a video montage prior to the game.