Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

From Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., the Marlins and Nationals face off in an NL East matchup. This one gets started at 4:05 PM ET, and BSFL will be televising it. The Nationals are the heavy favorites on the money line, with their odds sitting at -146, while the Marlins are at +124. The over/under line is currently at 8.5 runs.

Valente Bellozo is starting for the Marlins, and he will be facing off against Patrick Corbin. The Marlins are 55-93, while the Nationals are 66-81, which puts them 4th in the NL East. The Marlins are +5,000 to win the NL East, while the Nationals are +1,000.

Miami vs. Washington Key Information

• Teams: Marlins at Nationals
• Where: Nationals Park Washington
• Date: Saturday, September 14th
• Betting Odds WSH -146 | MIA +124 O/U 8.5

The Marlins Can Win If…

Right-hander Valente Bellozo is starting for the Marlins today as he faces the Nationals on the road. In 10 starts, Bellozo has a record of 2-3 and an ERA of 3.57. He most recently pitched on September 9th, where he took the loss, going 5 1/3 innings and giving up one earned run on six hits. Before that outing, he had given up at least five earned runs in three straight starts. Bellozo has made two quality starts this year and is averaging 5.94 strikeouts per nine innings. For the year, he has allowed 10 homers and is averaging 3.06 walks per nine innings.

Heading into today’s game, the Marlins are averaging just 3.8 runs per game, which is 29th in the league. They have been slightly better at home, averaging 4.2 runs per game. As a team, they are batting .241, which is 14th in the league, but their on-base percentage and OPS numbers are all near the bottom of the league. Miami’s team isolated power number of .130 is also one of the worst in the league.

Jake Burger and Jesús Sánchez have been the Marlins’ top power threats this season, with Burger leading the team with 25 homers and Sánchez sitting in 2nd with 17. Burger is also the team’s leader in RBIs, with 61. Over his last eight games, Connor Norby has gone just 6/32 at the plate, but he does have three homers in that stretch. Otto Lopez has gone 12/36 in his last nine games.

• The Marlins are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Marlins are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Miami has an over/under record of 4-5-1 in their last ten games.
• The Marlins have an average of 2.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Marlins are 4-6
• Looking back across the Marlins last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Miami has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Marlins have averaged 4.0 runs per game on offense

The Nationals Can Win If…

Left-hander Patrick Corbin gets the start for the Nationals today as he faces the Marlins at home. Corbin has made 29 starts this season and has a record of 5-13 with a 5.60 ERA. In his last outing, he took the loss, giving up seven earned runs in six innings of work. Before that, he had won three straight starts. Corbin’s WHIP for the season is 1.52, and he has a total of eight quality starts. Per nine innings, he is averaging 7.13 strikeouts and 2.89 walks. Overall, he has allowed 23 homers.

So far this season, the Nationals offense has been a bottom-10 unit in terms of scoring, averaging just 4.2 runs per game. This includes being one of the league’s worst home run hitting teams and having a collective isolated power (ISO) of just .133. As a team, they are batting .244, which is 12th in the league.

CJ Abrams comes into the game as the Nationals’ leader in home runs (20) but is batting just .239 for the season. Over his last six games, he has gone 5/23 with two homers. Luis Garcia Jr. has also been a good source of power, as he is 2nd on the team with 16 homers and is batting .282 for the season.

• The Nationals are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Nationals are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Washington has an over/under record of 4-5-1 in their last ten games.
• The Nationals have an average of 3.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Nationals are 5-5
• Looking back across the Nationals last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Washington has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Nationals have averaged 4.4 runs per game on offense

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The Lean

There should be no shortage of offense in today’s Marlins and Nationals matchup, as we have this as the 10th highest-scoring game of today’s slate. For an over/under pick, we are leaning towards the over. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Marlins to pick up the win. Miami’s offense is projected to have the 4th fewest strikeouts in today’s games, and Patrick Corbin is 6th among today’s starters in projected strikeouts.

Rising Star Dylan Crews Aims to Lead Nationals Past Marlins in Saturday Showdown

The Washington Nationals are buzzing with excitement as their top prospect, Dylan Crews, continues to make waves since his big-league debut on August 26. This 22-year-old rising star is already proving why he’s been labeled as the future of the franchise. As the Nationals head into the second game of their series against the Miami Marlins, all eyes will be on Crews, who’s been a key player in Washington’s recent success.

After a solid 4-1 win on Friday night, the Nats improved their record to 9-2 against the Marlins this season. Crews has been at the center of it all, showing why he’s one of baseball’s most exciting young talents.

Dylan Crews: A Game-Changer on Both Sides of the Ball

Since winning the 2023 Golden Spikes Award, Crews hasn’t missed a beat, quickly adjusting to the big leagues. Friday’s game showcased just how much of an all-around player he is. He started the night by making a spectacular leaping catch at the wall in the first inning to rob Miami’s Connor Norby of a hit. Then, in the bottom half of the inning, Crews hustled to beat out an infield single and showed off his speed by stealing both second and third base before scoring on a Marlins’ error.

In just two games against Miami, Crews is already 3-for-8 with two runs scored, three stolen bases, and highlight-reel defense. His ability to make an impact on both sides of the ball has opponents like Marlins manager Skip Schumaker taking notice. “He’s a special player,” Schumaker said, impressed with the rookie’s instant success.

But it’s not just the opponents taking notice. Crews’ hustle and energy have completely fired up the Nationals’ clubhouse. Manager Dave Martinez couldn’t be more thrilled with what Crews brings to the team. “He plays the game the right way,” Martinez said. “When he beat out that routine ground ball, the whole team started running harder. It’s contagious.”

Crews’ Impact and Future Potential

Drafted second overall by the Nationals in 2023, Crews is already making a name for himself. Through 62 at-bats, he’s hitting .242 with three home runs, eight RBIs, and eight stolen bases. While his bat is still coming along, his elite defense and speed are already changing the game for Washington.

Martinez has high expectations for the youngster, both as a player and a leader. “Whether he’s 1-for-30 or 30-for-30, I just want him to keep playing hard and running the bases like he does,” said Martinez. Crews’ aggressive style and ability to spark big plays are giving the Nationals a much-needed boost as they continue to rebuild.

Pitching Matchup: Corbin vs. Bellozo

Saturday’s game will feature a showdown between veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin and Marlins rookie Valente Bellozo. Corbin (5-13, 5.60 ERA) has turned things around recently, winning three of his last four starts, including a 6-2 victory over the Marlins earlier this month. Corbin’s experience against Miami is solid—he’s 6-7 with a 4.17 ERA in 20 career starts against the Marlins, making him a reliable option as Washington looks to keep the series momentum going.

On the flip side, Bellozo (2-3, 3.57 ERA) has been a bright spot for the Marlins in his rookie season. He shined in his last start against the Nationals on September 4, tossing six shutout innings and allowing just three hits. Even though Bellozo didn’t get the win in that game, he’ll be looking to repeat that success and give Miami a chance to bounce back on Saturday.

Nationals’ Domination Over the Marlins

The Nationals have had Miami’s number all season, improving to 9-2 against their division rivals with Friday’s win. Despite being in a rebuilding phase, Washington is playing inspired baseball, and Crews’ presence has given the team a spark. With veterans like Patrick Corbin stepping up on the mound and Crews leading the charge on the field, the Nats have become a tough matchup for Miami.

You can always refer to the current MLB Odds to stay up to date with the latest betting lines.

Marlins Look to Slow the Nationals’ Momentum

Even though the Marlins are out of the playoff race, they’re still fighting hard. Rookie pitcher Valente Bellozo will be tasked with stopping the Nationals’ hot streak and leveling the series. Bellozo has shown flashes of brilliance in his first 11 major league starts, and Miami will need him to be sharp if they want to avoid another loss to Washington.

Manager Skip Schumaker knows his lineup needs to step up, too. Miami’s offense has struggled to produce runs in the first two games of this series, and with Corbin pitching well lately, it’s going to be a tough challenge for the Marlins to break through.

Key Storylines for Saturday’s Game

Dylan Crews’ Breakout: Crews has quickly become the face of Washington’s future, and his speed, defense, and energy are driving the team. Look for him to continue making big plays on both sides of the ball.

Pitching Duel: Patrick Corbin’s recent resurgence gives the Nationals an edge, but rookie Valente Bellozo is coming off a strong performance and will look to silence Washington’s bats.

Nationals’ Dominance: With a 9-2 record against Miami this season, Washington is rolling. The combination of Crews’ contributions and solid pitching has made them a tough opponent for the Marlins.

Conclusion

As the Nationals continue their rebuild, players like Dylan Crews are stepping up and providing hope for the future. His all-around talent is energizing the team and giving them an edge in this series against Miami. With Patrick Corbin on the mound, Washington will look to keep their momentum going and secure another win.

On the other side, the Marlins are hoping rookie Valente Bellozo can cool off Washington’s offense and even the series. While both teams may be out of playoff contention, this matchup is all about building for the future and playing with pride down the stretch.