Nationals Vs. Marlins Preview: Jordan Zimmermann Starts 2nd Half Against Josh Johnson

The Washington Nationals will begin the second half of the season in the division with a series in South Florida against the Miami Marlins. The Nats come out of the All-Star break four games clear of the Atlanta Braves, who are in second place in the NL East. The Marlins, meanwhile, are still trying to recover from a brutal month of June and are three games under .500 and nine games back of the first place Nationals.

Jordan Zimmermann will take the ball for Davey Johnson to start the second half. While he's less heralded than his All-Star staff comrades Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg, Zimmermann has been as reliable as any pitcher in the game -- delivering one quality start after another. He will be opposed by Josh Johnson in the first game of the series on Friday night.

The Nationals were swept by the Marlins that last time they visited Miami at the end of May. They'll look to get some revenge in this four-game series and start the second half of the season off on the right foot.

Stay with this StoryStream throughout the weekend for more updates on the Nationals series in Miami. For more on the Nats as they start the second half of the season, visit Federal Baseball. For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes. And for all your baseball news coming out of the All-Star break, visit Baseball Nation.