Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals Preview
Where: Nationals Park – Washington, D.C
When: Monday, April 3, 2017, 1:05 PM ET
Line: Miami Marlins (+180) vs. Washington Nationals (-210); total: 7.5 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FS-F, MASN, WUSA 9
Writer’s Pick: Washington Nationals (-210)
Betting on the Miami Marlins
After finishing third in the NL East last year, the Miami Marlins look to bounce back strong as they seek their first postseason appearance in 14 years. The Marlins, who last posted a winning season back in 2009, are pegged at +1,400 to win their division this campaign. Miami will kick off its 2017 campaign against Washington at Nationals Park later today. Starting for the Marlins in this Opening Day showdown is Edinson Volquez. The Marlins’ new signing will be making his fifth Opening Day start with his fourth different team.
The 33-year-old is coming off his worst season in four years, but has the most experience of any of Miami’s five starters. He was 10-11 with a 5.37 ERA in 34 starts last season with Kansas City. Volquez surrendered 217 hits in 189.1 innings and struck out 139 batters with 76 walks. The Marlins, as we all know, are still reeling from the sudden death of ace Jose Fernandez last year. They expect Volquez to provide stability to Miami’s rotation. He has made at least 30 starts in each of his past five seasons.
Volquez will need all the help he can get, though, if he is to outlast the Nationals as he will face one of the best pitchers in the world today in Stephen Strasburg. Fortunately for Volquez, the Marlins have in their ranks the talented outfield trio of Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna. Stanton has hit at least 20 homers in seven straight seasons. Yelich showed in 2016 that he possesses a power swing as well, recording 21 home runs and 98 RBIs. Ozuna, on the other hand, was selected to his first All Star Game last year following a remarkable first half that saw him post a .307 batting average and 17 home runs.
The Marlins are 4-6 in their last 10 road games against the Nationals.
Betting on the Washington Nationals
Stephen Strasburg started out like a house on fire last season, winning 15 of his first 16 decisions. He became the third starting pitcher in the National League to start a season 13-0. Unfortunately for the California native, his 2016 season came to an abrupt end as he suffered a strained flexor mass in his right elbow. Strasburg, who did not pitch after September 7, appears to be healthy once again and will get the start for Washington on Monday.
This will be Strasburg’s fourth career Opening Day start, and his second against the Miami Marlins. On Opening Day from 2012-14, Strasburg posted a 2.25 ERA and struck out 18 batters in 20 innings. The Nats went 3-0 during that span. A different Strasburg will take the mound, though, on Monday as he will be pitching out of the stretch position this year even when no runners are on base.
Strasburg can’t do it all alone, though, and he needs the Washington batters to contribute today as well. One guy who’s expected to have a huge outing on Opening Day is veteran Daniel Murphy. He has been one of the most successful Nationals hitters when facing Miami starter Edinson Volquez, batting .444 (8-for-18) with a pair of doubles, three walks and three RBIs. Murphy led Washington in batting average (.347), homers (25), RBIs (104), on-base percentage (.390) and hits (184) last season.
The Nationals are 3-1 in their last four games against the Marlins. Washington is pegged at -160 to win the NL East division this year.
Writer’s Prediction
Washington (-210) opens the season with a comprehensive 8-3 victory.
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