Strasburg-Stanton duel highlights Nats-Marlins
Mired in a four-game losing streak, the Marlins needed their biggest bopper to step up. And, as usual, Giancarlo Stanton did not disappoint.
Miami’s cleanup monster clubbed his third homer of the campaign in the fifth inning of yesterday’s series opener vs. the Nationals, and the moonshot propelled the host squad to a 6-1 victory. The two National League East adversaries meet up again tonight, with a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch in South Beach. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv have installed Washington as an early 1.5-run favorite.
Stanton may find it harder to clear the fence this evening. He’ll go mano-a-mano with Stephen Strasburg (2-0, 1.98 ERA), who’s off to an absolutely sensational start. The 27-year-old muzzled Atlanta in his first two outings, surrendering nary an extra-base hit.
Don Mattingly counters with Adam Conley, the author of six scoreless frames in last week’s 2-1 loss to the Mets. Conley fanned nine in that affair, which should bode well considering the Nats’ legion of sluggers. Second baseman Daniel Murphy’s batting .441 during a 10-game hitting streak, while Bryce Harper’s bonkers slash line of .341/.442/.854 always spreads fear.
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We doubt that Washington will drop a third straight tilt, particularly given Strasburg’s presence on the bump. Harper feasts on lefties (4 for 7 with a dinger and two doubles), too, so Conley’s in for a significant battle. Ride with the road team here.
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