Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. | First pitch: 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: Nationals.TV / Marlins.TV
The Marlins (third in the NL East) visit for the second game of a four-game series after falling 9-2 on Friday. Miami holds an 8-2 season-series lead but is looking to snap a four-game road losing streak. The Nationals (fourth in the NL East) snapped an eight-game skid in the series with Friday’s outburst and have been notably strong in starts by Cade Cavalli.
Starting Pitchers
Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (13-8, 3.38 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 137 K in 183.2 IP)
Returning to form after Tommy John recovery. Allowed one or zero runs in seven of his last 10 starts. Most recent outing: 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H vs. Boston. Career vs. Nationals includes solid numbers (1-0, 3.46 ERA in two starts this year). He will set a franchise record for most starts as a Marlin with this appearance.
Nationals: RHP Cade Cavalli (12-5, 3.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 169 K in 148.2 IP)
Hot streak: 4-0 with a 1.73 ERA and 36 K in his last four starts; nine straight quality starts (7-1 in that span). Last outing: 6 IP, 2 ER vs. Colorado. Washington has gone undefeated in his recent starts during a broader team slump.
Current/Projected Rosters & Lineups Notes
Marlins key hitters: Otto Lopez (.307 AVG, 30 doubles, 7 triples, 9 HR), Xavier Edwards (.285), Heriberto Hernández (hot recently: multi-HR stretch vs. Nationals this year, including Friday), Javier Sanoja, Agustín Ramírez, Esteury Ruiz, Kyle Stowers.
Nationals key hitters: CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews (on-base streak), Daylen Lile (triples), Brady House (10th HR Friday, three-run shot), Abimelec Ortiz, Harry Ford, Andrés Chaparro, Jacob Young. Both clubs rely on speed and contact in spots, with the Nationals showing more power (league-leading HR total) and the Marlins featuring a more balanced, contact-oriented attack.
Injury Reports
Marlins
Max Meyer (SP, neck) – 15-day IL
Anthony Bender (RP, shin) – 15-day IL
Pete Fairbanks (RP, nerve) – 15-day IL
Longer-term (60-day): Adam Mazur, Ronny Henriquez, Andrew Nardi, Robby Snelling, William Kempner, others
Nationals
James Wood (OF, oblique) – 10-day IL
Drew Millas (C, finger) – 10-day IL
Longer-term (60-day): Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Mitchell Parker, Connelly Early, PJ Poulin, Richard Lovelady, Ken Waldichuk, others
Both rotations and bullpens are thinned, elevating the importance of the starters.
Weather Forecast (Nationals Park)
Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, high around 82–85°F. Light east/southeast winds ~5 mph. Precipitation chance near 0–5%. Comfortable late-afternoon conditions with minimal wind impact expected.
Recent Team Forms
Marlins: 4-6 last 10 (.235 BA, 3.89 ERA). Road record 26-40. Solid overall pitching (3.92 ERA) but recent road struggles.
Nationals: 4-6 last 10 (.220 BA, 3.87 ERA). Home record 30-38. Strong when not allowing homers (28-16); offense can be feast-or-famine but erupted Friday. Cavalli starts have been a clear bright spot.
Series History (2026)
Marlins lead the season series 8-2 entering Saturday (after Friday’s Nationals win snapped an 8-game series skid for Washington). Remaining games: Sunday and Monday at Nationals Park. Miami has dominated most recent meetings.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups / Storylines
Alcantara vs. Nationals power: Abrams, House, Crews, and Lile present challenges; Alcantara’s ground-ball tendencies and recent command will be tested against Washington’s HR-happy lineup.
Cavalli vs. Marlins contact bats: Lopez (.307), Edwards, and the hot Hernández (multiple HRs vs. Nats this season) vs. Cavalli’s high-K profile and recent dominance.
Heriberto Hernández continues to punish Nationals pitching.
Dylan Crews’ on-base streak and Brady House’s power are keys for Washington to sustain Friday’s momentum.
Bullpen depth is limited on both sides, so starter length will be critical.
Betting Trends
Season series heavily favors Miami, but Washington’s home edge and Cavalli’s heater create a more even market. Unders have been common in recent Marlins-Nationals games (3-7 O/U in the series).
GAME ODDS
Miami Marlins 7.5
Washington Nationals – 105
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, August 28, 2026
