Gina: Alright Marlins fans, if you watched last night, you know that opener in D.C. was ugly. But today is a new day, and we are breaking down exactly how Miami flips the script and gets back in this series.
Wes: It's a quick turnaround, and the pitching matchup today could be the difference between coming home with a split or leaving D.C. with a losing record in this series.
Gina: Welcome back to Beatline, the Miami Marlins daily podcast. I'm Gina, and as always, my guy Wes is here with the sharpest takes in the game. We got a full preview for you today.
Wes: We're breaking down the series so far, what went wrong in that 9-2 loss, and most importantly, what the Marlins need to do to even things up tonight.
Gina: Here's what's on deck. First, we're diving into the pitching probables for tonight and how the Marlins' staff matches up. Then we're looking at the bats and the bullpen, plus the latest injury updates. And we'll wrap with our keys to the series and a bold prediction you're not gonna want to miss.
Gina: So Wes, let's get into it. Yesterday, the Nationals handed us a 9-2 loss. Jackson Kent threw seven innings of one-run ball for his first big league win, and Brady House hit a three-run homer. That was a rough one. But today is a new day. Who do we have on the mound for Miami?
Wes: We don't have the official starter listed yet, but looking at the rotation, it's likely Ryan Gusto or Janson Junk gets the ball. Gusto just threw 5 2/3 solid innings against Boston, so he might be on regular rest. Either way, they need to keep the ball in the yard and give the offense a chance.
Gina: And what about the Nationals' starter? Any word on who we're facing?
Wes: Not officially, but Washington has a deep rotation. They've got guys like Josiah Gray and DJ Herz on the IL, but they still have some solid arms. The key is that the Marlins need to work deep counts and get into that bullpen early.
Gina: Let's talk about that offense. We scored two runs yesterday. We need more production from the middle of the lineup. Who's the guy you're watching today?
Wes: I'm looking at Javier Sanoja. He's been hot, and we predicted he'd drive in runs in the opener, but he didn't get it done. I expect him to bounce back in a big way. He's got that plate discipline and can hit for average. If he gets on base, good things happen.
Gina: And what about the long ball? We need some power. Heriberto Hernandez is always a threat.
Wes: Absolutely. Hernandez has the power to change the game with one swing. But we also need guys like Griffin Conine and Kyle Stowers to step up. We can't rely on just one or two hitters.
Gina: Right. And yesterday, we saw the Nationals' lineup explode for nine runs. We need our pitching to keep them in check. What's the mindset for our starter today?
Wes: It's about attacking the zone early and not falling behind. Brady House is a dangerous hitter, and if you leave something over the plate, he'll make you pay. Our guy needs to keep the ball down and induce ground balls.
Gina: Let's talk about the bullpen. We've had some guys on the IL like Anthony Bender and Pete Fairbanks. How do we feel about the pen behind our starter today?
Wes: The bullpen has been a question mark all season. We've got some young arms like Dax Fulton and Calvin Faucher, but consistency is key. They need to throw strikes and keep the game within reach. If we can get a lead, they need to hold it.
Gina: Alright, so the formula is simple: get a quality start, score some runs, and the bullpen slams the door. Stick with us, because up next we're digging deeper into the injuries and how they affect the lineup.
Gina: We're back. Now let's talk about the injuries. We've got a bunch of guys on the IL, and it's affecting the roster. Wes, who's out and how does that change the lineup?
Wes: Well, we've got Max Meyer on the 15-day IL, and that's a blow to the rotation. Also, Anthony Bender and Pete Fairbanks are out, which hurts the bullpen. But we've got some guys stepping up. Ryan Gusto has been solid, and Josh Ekness has been a nice addition.
Gina: And what about the position players? Any key bats missing?
Wes: Not many on the position player side. We're pretty healthy there. But we need guys like Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez to keep getting on base. They set the table for the middle of the order.
Gina: So with the injuries, is there any concern about the pitching staff's depth? We're in the middle of a four-game series, and we need to manage innings.
Wes: It's a concern, but we've got guys like Patrick Monteverde and Jack Ralston who can eat innings. The key is to not overwork the bullpen in the first two games. We need a starter to go deep today.
Gina: Let's talk about the bats. Yesterday, we only scored two runs. What's the approach against the Nationals' pitching?
Wes: We need to be more patient at the plate. Last night, we were swinging at pitches out of the zone. We need to work counts, get walks, and make them throw strikes. When we do that, we can do damage.
Gina: And who's the X-factor today? Who needs to have a big game for us to win?
Wes: I'm looking at Owen Caissie. He's a young guy with power, and he's been getting some opportunities. If he can drive in a couple runs, that would be huge. Also, watch for Javier Sanoja to have a multi-hit game.
Gina: We also need to talk about the defense. Any concerns there?
Wes: Defense has been solid for the most part. We just need to make the routine plays. The Nationals are aggressive on the bases, so we need to be sharp with our throws and positioning.
Gina: Alright, so the game plan is clear. But we also need to talk about the bigger picture. We're 68-67, third in the NL East. We're fighting for a wild card spot. How important is this series?
Wes: Every game matters from here on out. We're in the thick of the wild card race, and we need to win series. Dropping the first game of this four-game set puts the pressure on. We need to win tonight and take the series.
Gina: And with the Nationals being below .500, this is a series we should win. No excuses. Stick with us, because we're about to give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Gina: Alright, we're in the home stretch. Let's give our keys to the series. What does Miami need to do to win this series?
Wes: First, we need to get a quality start from our pitchers. We can't keep going to the bullpen in the fifth or sixth inning. Second, we need to string together hits and score early. And third, we need to limit the big innings. The Nationals scored nine yesterday, and we can't let that happen again.
Gina: And what about the bullpen? We mentioned the injuries, but we need those guys to step up.
Wes: Absolutely. The bullpen is a concern, but they've shown flashes. If they can throw strikes and get outs, we'll be fine. But we need to give them a lead to work with.
Gina: Now, we made some bold predictions before this series. We said we'd sweep, and we said Hernandez would hit two homers and Sanoja would drive in at least three. After yesterday, those are looking rough. Let's revise.
Wes: I'm not backing off the Sanoja prediction. He's too good to stay quiet. I'll say he drives in two runs tonight. And for Hernandez, I'll still say he goes deep at least once in this series. But the sweep is off the table. I'll take a series win.
Gina: Alright, I'm with you on the series win. But I'm going to add a new bold prediction: the Marlins score at least six runs tonight. We need that offense to wake up.
Wes: Bold, but I like it. Let's see if they can do it. If they can get to the bullpen early, it's possible.
Gina: Alright, that's a wrap. To recap: we need a quality start, timely hitting, and a solid bullpen. And our bold predictions: Sanoja drives in two, Hernandez homers, and we score six or more tonight. Sounds like a winning recipe.
Gina: That's all for today's episode. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show. Share it with your fellow Marlins fans. And as always, let's go Marlins!
Wes: See you tomorrow for the next game. Let's get that win tonight!