The Washington Nationals (11-4) are off to their best start in 31 years, and on Saturday look to continue the early-season success when Stephen Strasburg takes the hill against the Miami Marlins (7-7). Washington won the series opener 2-0 on Friday night behind six strong innings from Ross Detwiler.
Strasburg is looking to win three straight starts for just the second time in his young career. The right-hander last pitched on Monday, when he held the Houston Astros to two runs in six innings of work. In four career starts against the Marlins, Strasburg is 2-1 with a 2.82 ERA, striking out 24 batters in 22 1/3 innings.
Miami will send Anibal Sanchez to the mound to face Washington. Sanchez has dominated the Nationals in his career, going 7-0 with a 2.06 ERA in 17 starts against Washington.
Here is the full Nationals lineup for Saturday's contest:
Ian Desmond- SS
Danny Espinosa- 2B
Ryan Zimmerman- 3B
Chad Tracy 1B
Jayson Werth- RF
Rick Ankiel- CF
Xavier Nady- LF
Wilson Ramos- C
Stephen Strasburg - RHP
We'll have plenty more on this series throughout the weekend here on SB Nation DC, so keep it locked to this StoryStream for all of the latest news and updates. For more on this and every series for the Nationals, please head over to Federal Baseball, SB Nation's Washington Nationals blog. For some perspective from the other dugout, head over to Fish Stripes. As always, you can visit Baseball Nation for more on this and every MLB baseball game.