The Nationals wrapped up a frustrating series in Texas with a 2-0 loss Thursday night, managing just one hit against Jacob deGrom and three Rangers relievers. DeGrom struck out 10 over six innings and recorded his 2,000th career strikeout, while Brady House collected the Nats’ only hit. Andrew Alvarez allowed one run over five innings, but the Nationals could not generate any offense without James Wood and CJ Abrams, who missed the game with a sprained ankle. Washington dropped two of three against Texas, was shut out in both losses, and has now lost five of its last six games to fall to 61-68.
The Nationals will continue their road trip with a three-game series against the 64-64 Miami Marlins, who return home after being swept by the Phillies. Miami had won three consecutive series against the Angels, Pirates, and Reds before its momentum stalled in Philadelphia, where the Marlins scored just one run in Wednesday’s 4-1 finale. Javier Sanoja provided the lone highlight with three hits and a solo home run, while Sandy Alcantara allowed three runs over six innings. The Marlins are 38-25 at home this season and have won five of their six meetings against the Nats.
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Game One – Friday, 7:10 PM ET
WSH: RHP Brad Lord (5-2, 4.04 ERA)
MIA: RHP Ryan Gusto (0-3, 4.70 ERA)
Lord struggled in his most recent appearance against the Mets, allowing two runs and walking four while recording just two outs. Gusto allowed four runs, two earned, and struck out six over 4⅔ innings against the Reds in his last start.
Game Two – Saturday, 4:10 PM ET
WSH: RHP Jake Irvin (2-7, 5.80 ERA)
MIA: RHP Eury Pérez (6-9, 3.23 ERA)
Irvin allowed four runs and struck out six over six innings against the Mets on Sunday. Pérez delivered six scoreless innings against Cincinnati in his last outing and enters Saturday with a 15-inning scoreless streak.
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Game Three – Sunday, 1:40 PM ET
WSH: LHP Jackson Kent (0-1, 9.39 ERA)
MIA: RHP Janson Junk (6-8, 4.37 ERA)
Kent allowed five runs on eight hits over 3⅔ innings against the Rangers on Tuesday, striking out three and walking three. Junk surrendered two runs over five innings against the Phillies on Monday and has posted a 3.21 ERA across three August starts.
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