The Nationals are finally back in Washington on Tuesday night after a rough nine-game road trip where they scraped out a 3-6 record. Being back home will not take much pressure off the Nats as they start a crucial homestand where three NL East rivals will come into Nationals Park back-to-back-to-back and some believe how the Nationals do during these three series will determine the 2011 season for the Nationals. The Nationals need to win some games to maintain hovering around .500 and keeping themselves out of the NL East basement.
First up is the Florida Marlins who two weeks ago looked completely dead in the water and the division cellar but since then have gone on an impressive surge to pull within a half game back from the fourth place Nationals. To halt the Fish, the Nationals are putting their trust and ball in the glove of starter Jordan Zimmermann (6-8, 3.00 ERA). Zimmermann is coming off his worst start of the season where the Houston Astros gave the young hurler some trouble. He allowed six runs on seven hits in five innings, but looks to regain form and dominance against Ricky Nolasco (6-7, 4.08 ERA) who also is coming off a bad start, in fact, the worst of his career. Nolasco gave up nine runs on nine hits in 1 1/3 innings against the San Diego Padres.
First pitch is at 7:05 P.M.
Nationals Line-Up
1. Roger Bernadina, CF
2. Danny Espinosa, 2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Michael Morse, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Laynce Nix, LF
7. Wilson Ramos, C
8. Ian Desmond, SS
9. Jordan Zimmermann, SP
Marlins Line-Up
1. Emilio Bonifacio, 3B
2. Omar Infante, 2B
3. Greg Dobbs, 1B
4. Hanley Ramirez, SS
5. Logan Morrison, LF
6. Mike Stanton, RF
7. Mike Cameron, CF
8. John Buck, C
9. Ricky Nolasco, SP