The good news for the Washington Nationals entering today's game with the Florida Marlins? The Nats don't have to face Florida's Anibal Sanchez, who owned them Saturday afternoon as he has done his entire career. The bad news for the Nats? They still have to face Florida AT Nationals Park, where the Marlins have now won eight straight games against the hometown nine, and are in fact 21-7 at Nationals Park all time.
But fear not Nationals fans, Jason Marquis (4-1, 3.66 ERA) is taking the bump today, and he has given up two runs or less in six straight home starts, winning his two home starts in 2011 with a minuscule 1.13 ERA. He has been Washington's most consistent pitcher this year, winning four of his last five starts, holding the Braves to three runs on seven hits in 7+ innings in his last outing.
Javier Vazquez (2-3, 6.88) will take the mound for the Marlins. Vazquez has had a trying week, traveling to Puerto Rico midweek to be with his wife after one of her family members fell ill. Vazquez mental state could prove to be a factor in this game and is something to keep an eye on.
First pitch is 1:35 p.m. from Sun Life Stadium North, er, Nationals Park. If Washington wants to stay a factor in the ultra competitive NL East, they need to stop being home doormats for divisional rivals, beginning now.
Via Ben Goessling of MASNsports.com, Sunday's lineups:
