The Washington Nationals aim to maintain their offensive momentum after a strong performance against the Miami Marlins, winning 15-7 on Monday. This victory marked the Nationals’ second highest run total of the season, tying their record with 19 hits. As the team seeks to avoid a 100-loss season, they enter Tuesday’s game with three consecutive wins and six victories in their last seven outings.
Washington currently holds a record of 59-84, and with less than three weeks left in the season, they are set to miss the postseason for the sixth consecutive year. Under interim manager Miguel Cairo, the team’s winning percentage has risen slightly to .415, comparable to the .411 percentage they had when Dave Martinez was dismissed on July 6. The Nationals are focused on building for the future, hoping performances like Monday’s can set the tone for success in 2026.
In the opener, 23-year-old Dylan Crews, the team’s No. 2 overall draft pick in 2023, showcased his potential by hitting a home run and driving in four runs. Although his batting average stands at .208 this season, he has recorded hits in five of his last eight starts and achieved a personal best of three hits on Monday. Cairo expressed confidence in Crews, stating, “You’re going to fail in this game. It’s how you react to it, how you come back every day and handle your business, that’s what matters.”
On Tuesday, the Nationals will send Mitchell Parker to the mound for his 29th start of the season. Currently 7-15 with a 5.87 ERA, Parker is searching for his first win since July 26. In his last seven starts, he has struggled, posting an 0-5 record with a 9.28 ERA. He faced the Marlins recently, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, which resulted in a no-decision. Historically, Parker has a 1-1 record with a 3.86 ERA against Miami, although he has struggled against them this year, with an ERA of 7.07 in three starts.
The Marlins, with a record of 66-78, are facing a challenging end to their season. Having lost six of their last seven games, they are on track for their fourth losing season in the past five years. The Miami pitching staff allowed 15 or more runs for the third time this season on Monday, pushing their ERA to 4.79, the third worst in the National League. Despite progress under manager Clayton McCullough, Miami will also miss the playoffs for the 29th time in 33 years since joining Major League Baseball in 1993.
With one of the youngest rosters in the league, averaging 26.5 years old, the Marlins are hopeful that their youth will develop into a winning culture in the coming seasons. A recent highlight came from Victor Mesa Jr., who celebrated his 24th birthday by hitting his first Major League home run during Monday’s game. McCullough remarked, “We’ve had a great opportunity this year to see a lot of firsts for many of our young players that have come up. Congrats to Victor, it’s a moment he’ll always remember.”
On Tuesday, Adam Mazur is expected to start for the Marlins, marking his fourth start this season. In his previous outing against the Nationals on September 2, Mazur pitched six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) in a 5-2 loss. His record against Washington stands at 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA.
As both teams look to finish the season on a positive note, the matchup promises to be a critical point for their respective futures. The Nationals hope to capitalize on their recent offensive success, while the Marlins aim to rebuild and regain momentum.