Showing Dominance
As they close in on first place in the NL East, the Florida Marlins have been one of the more surprising teams in the majors. No team is more familiar with their success than the lowly Washington Nationals.
The Marlins look to continue their dominance over the Nationals as they try to move atop the division for the first time in a month when they continue their three-game series Tuesday.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made Florida -130 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 9.5 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 88% of bets for this game have been placed on Florida -130 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
After finishing in last place in the NL East at 71-91 in 2007, Florida (43-39) pulled within a half-game of division-leading Philadelphia with Monday’s thrilling 6-5, 10-inning win over the Nationals. The Marlins can move into first for the first time since May 31 with a win in this game coupled with a Phillies loss at Atlanta on Tuesday.
Florida’s turnaround has come at the expense of Washington (33-51). The Marlins have won nine of 10 over the Nationals this season, outscoring them 69-38 while hitting 18 home runs.
"We’ve been unable to keep them in the ballpark," Washington manager Manny Acta said. "They just seem to bomb away. They seem to do it against us constantly."
Florida was on the verge of losing Monday’s series opener before Hanley Ramirez’s one-out solo shot in the bottom of the ninth tied the score at 5 and Josh Willingham’s second home run of the day ended the game in the 10th. It was the Marlins’ second straight come-from-behind victory after scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth Sunday to beat Arizona 4-3.
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"We never quit and just believe in each other," said Willingham, who returned to action last week after missing 50 games with a back injury. "Somebody seems to come through a lot of the times in the late innings."
Willingham provided a big lift Monday for the Marlins, who were without second baseman Dan Uggla for a second straight game after he sprained his left ankle Saturday. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Uggla is not expected to play until Florida begins a four-game series at Colorado on Thursday.
Ramirez, who also hit a game-tying homer in the ninth inning Sunday, has been a big reason for Florida’s success over the Nationals. He’s batting .422 (19-for-45) with six home runs, 11 RBIs and 18 runs in his last 11 games against them.
Gonzalez gives the ball to Mark Hendrickson (7-6, 5.93 ERA) on Tuesday as he again looks to break out of his funk.
Hendrickson was one the Marlins’ most reliable pitchers earlier this season, but that has not been the case lately as Florida has lost each of his last four starts. The left-hander has not won since defeating San Francisco on May 25, going 0-4 with a 9.96 ERA in his last six starts. The Marlins’ opening day starter was 7-2 with a 4.14 ERA in his first 11 outings.
On Thursday, Hendrickson yielded five runs, five hits and six walks in 4 2-3 innings of a 6-1 loss to Tampa Bay.
Hendrickson had one of his best starts of the season against Washington, though. He allowed one run and three hits in seven innings of a 4-3 win over the Nationals on April 10, and is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in four career starts against them.
Washington lost for the ninth time in 13 games on Monday, and has dropped its last four on the road.
The Nationals have called up Collin Balester to make his major league debut Tuesday.
Balester, a fourth-round pick in the 2004 draft, went 9-3 with a 4.00 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Columbus. The right-hander struck out 64 in 78 2-3 innings in the minors.
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