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In a match of two teams trying to turn their seasons around to run for a National League Wild Card spot, the Washington Nationals squared off against the Miami Marlins. The Marlins’ power bats made their presence felt in this game, and they trampled the Nationals 12-2 in South Florida.
In the National League East divisional battle, some of the best US online gambling sites such as BetMGM had Washington listed as a slight favorite at -125 odds. Miami’s odds before the game were set at +105.
Before the first pitch is thrown, each team usually takes batting practice so their hitters can fine-tune their swings. However, the Marlins didn’t do that before this game due to an hour and a half team meeting organized by Miami manager Don Mattingly. They struggled to close out the month of May and had been playing mediocre baseball to start the month of June. Mattingly wanted players and coaches to talk about how they could play more consistently and get back on a winning track.
The clubhouse conversation certainly seemed to work, at least for this game. Miami received a considerable boost from leadoff hitter Jazz Chisolm Jr. who had one of the best games of his major league career. The second baseman crushed a pitch over the center-field wall with the bases loaded in the second inning to give Miami a 5-0 lead. It was his first career grand slam. The 24-year-old would go deep again in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals bullpen and finished the game with six RBI.
A few other Marlins had impressive performances in the victory as well. Catcher Nick Fortes hit ninth in the batting order and made the most of his opportunities. He drove in four runs on the night, including a fourth-inning home run with a man on base. Left fielder Jorge Soler also hit a home run in the fourth inning and finished the game with two RBI.
Despite their uneven play over the last week, Miami Marlins’ offense has started to get into a groove. They have scored 12 runs or more in three out of their previous seven games.
With the amount of run support he received, Marlins starter Edward Cabrera could pitch without much stress. In his two starts so far this season, Miami has scored 26 runs, which will always put a smile on a pitcher’s face. Cabrera went six innings for the Marlins, giving up just two hits. He walked two batters and had four strikeouts. The only blemish on his record was a home run conceded to Nationals shortstop Luis Garcia.
On the other side of the diamond, Washington continues to search for answers during a rebuilding campaign. Joan Adon started the game for the Nationals and did not fare well against a focused Marlins lineup. The 23-year-old out of the Dominican Republic now has a record of 1-10 in 2022, and it is fair to wonder whether Washington will consider pulling him out of their starting rotation.
Washington’s 2019 World Series championship feels like a distant memory given the team’s recent struggles, but there is some room for optimism. Starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who was excellent en route to winning World Series MVP three years ago, is scheduled to return to the team shortly. His last appearance for the Nationals came over a year ago, as he’s worked his way back from surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome. His presence should provide a spark for the young roster.
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