Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
First pitch: 6:45 p.m. ET
Venue and Conditions
Nationals Park (capacity ~41,000) is a hitter-friendly venue in some conditions, with dimensions favoring right-handed power to left-center. The park sits along the Anacostia River in Southeast D.C.
Weather Forecast
Highs in the mid-to-upper 80s°F (around 83–87°F), lows near 68–69°F. Partly sunny to overcast/humid with a 20–50% chance of showers or thunderstorms, especially afternoon into evening. Light winds (N/NW around 5 mph). Real Feel could push into the low-to-mid 90s with humidity; storms may bring brief interruptions but are not expected to delay the start significantly.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Miami: RHP Eury Pérez (#39)
7-9, 3.17 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 137 K, 52 BB in 127.2 IP (23 starts). Strong recent form (last three: ~2.00 ERA over 18 IP). He held Washington to 1 earned run in 5 IP on Aug. 22. Elite strikeout ability (nearly 10 K/9) and solid ground-ball rate.
Washington: LHP Jackson Kent (#25)
0-2, 8.03 ERA, 2.11 WHIP, 14 K, 11 BB in 12.1 IP (3 starts). Rookie struggling with command (high walk rate) and hard contact. Last outing (Aug. 23 at Miami): 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 K. Has yet to work into the sixth inning.
Pérez holds a massive edge in experience, stuff, and results.
Current Rosters and Injury Reports
Marlins key absences (IL):
RP Pete Fairbanks (15-day, right median nerve irritation; out until at least early/mid-September).
SP Max Meyer (15-day, neck; no firm timetable, expected mid-September at earliest).
RP Anthony Bender (15-day, shin stress reaction).
Longer-term 60-day: William Kempner (elbow), Andrew Nardi (ribs/elbow surgery pending), Robby Snelling (elbow), Adam Mazur (elbow), Ronny Henriquez (elbow).
Kyle Stowers recently returned from hamstring IL. Bullpen depth is thinned without Fairbanks.
Nationals key absences (IL):
OF James Wood (10-day, left oblique; targeting early September).
C Drew Millas (10-day, left finger).
SP Josiah Gray (60-day, right elbow/flexor; rehabbing).
SP DJ Herz (60-day, elbow/Tommy John recovery).
Others: Connelly Early (elbow), PJ Poulin (flexor), Mitchell Parker (elbow), Ken Waldichuk (forearm), Richard Lovelady (triceps; possible near return).
Offense misses Wood’s power; pitching staff remains depleted.
Active lineups will feature contact/speed for Miami (e.g., Otto López leading average, Javier Sanoja hot recently) and power/speed for Washington (CJ Abrams, Keibert Ruiz). Exact daily lineups are set closer to game time.
Key Player Matchups
Pérez vs. Nationals hitters: He limited them effectively in the recent series (low hits allowed). Abrams and Ruiz present contact threats; Pérez’s high-velocity fastball/slider mix should generate swing-and-miss against a lineup missing Wood.
Kent vs. Marlins hitters: Left-hander facing a righty-heavy Miami group that feasted on him Aug. 23. López and others with strong recent contact could exploit Kent’s elevated WHIP and walks.
Bullpen battle favors Miami’s deeper options despite Fairbanks’ absence; Washington’s relief corps has been inconsistent.
Recent Team Forms
Marlins: 5-5 in last 10, riding a 1-game win streak. Solid pitching overall (team ERA ~3.88–3.91 range) but road struggles (26-39 away). They swept Washington in Miami earlier this week (Aug. 21–23). Nationals: 3-7 in last 10, snapped a skid with a win over Colorado on Aug. 27. Stronger offense (higher runs/HR totals) but poor pitching (team ERA ~4.66–4.72). Home record 29-38.
Series History (2026)
Miami has dominated: roughly 9-1 or better overall this season, including a recent three-game sweep at loanDepot park (scores 3-2, 4-2, 6-2). Earlier series in Washington also heavily favored the Marlins. Head-to-head unders have been common.
This is the start of a four-game set in D.C. (continuing Aug. 29–31).
Betting Trends
Marlins strong as favorites vs. Washington this year; unders have hit frequently in the matchup (team totals lean lower with Pérez on the mound). Nationals home underdogs have mixed results amid pitching issues.
GAME ODDS
Miami Marlins – 145
Washington Nationals 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, August 27, 2026
