The Miami Marlins and the Washington Nationals square off Thursday in MLB action from Nationals Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Miami Marlins will send out Darren McGaughan for the start here and McGaughan is 0-0 with a 7.40 ERA and 14 strikeouts this season. This will be McGaughan’s first career start against the Nationals. Mitchell Parker will get the start for the Nationals here and is 7-9 with a 4.43 ERA and 122 strikeouts this season. In his career, Parker is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 6 strikeouts against Miami.
Miami Marlins Recap
The Miami Marlins come into this one looking to bounce back after being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates to start the week thanks to a 3-1 loss in Wednesday’s series finale. After the loss, the Marlins were unable to build on back-to-back series splits with the Phillies and Nationals.
Marlins Playing Out The String
Jake Burger leads the Marlins with 25 home runs and 61 RBIs along with 112 hits while Jesus Sanchez has 17 home runs and 59 RBIs with 22 doubles. Xavier Edwards also has a team-high 25 stolen bases while Burger has the dubious distinction of leading the Marlins with 132 strikeouts this season.
Why the Miami Marlins will win
- The Nationals have lost four of their last five games as favorites following a win.
- The Marlins have won three of their last four games as underdogs against NL East opponents following a loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games after playing the previous day.
- The road team has covered the run line in 14 of the last 18 games between the Marlins and Nationals.
Washington Nationals Recap
The Washington Nationals come into this one looking to build on their 5-1 win in Wednesday’s matchup against the Atlanta Braves. That follows up the four-game series split the Nationals endured against the Pittsburgh Pirates the series prior.
Nationals Trying To Build Positive Vibes Into 2025
CJ Abrams has 125 hits along with 20 home runs and 65 RBIs to go along with 26 doubles, 6 triples and 28 stolen bases. Luis Garcia Jr. has a team-high 128 hits including 25 doubles with 63 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Jacob Young has 31 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The favorites have won each of the Marlins’ last 11 games at Nationals Park.
- The Marlins have lost seven of their last eight games against the Nationals following a loss.
- The favorites have covered the run line in each of the Marlins’ last nine games at Nationals Park.
- The Marlins have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games against the Nationals following a loss.
Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Prediction
I’m on the Nationals here. It’s just hard to feel good about what the Marlins are bringing to the table as this just feels like a team that’s playing out the string. The Nationals aren’t going anywhere themselves, but it feels like they’ve been a lot more competitive in recent games and I think Washington adds to Miami’s misery against left-handed pitching this season. Give me the Nationals at home in this one.