First pitch: 12:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
TV: Peacock / NBCSN (Nationals)
This is Game 3 of a four-game series at Nationals Park. The Nationals have won the first two (9-2 on Friday and 5-4 in 10 innings on Saturday), putting them on a three-game home winning streak. The Marlins lead the season series 8-3 overall heading into Sunday (they swept a series in Miami the previous weekend). Both teams sit in the middle of the NL East pack, with Miami third and Washington fourth; neither is a serious playoff threat at this stage.
Starting Pitchers
Marlins: RHP Janson Junk (6-8, 4.21 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 68 K in 98.1 IP)
Junk has been a solid back-end starter for Miami. He has shown better form recently (stronger ERA in his last several outings) and has faced Washington multiple times this year with mixed results. He relies more on contact management than pure strikeouts. Workload has been managed carefully amid bullpen needs.
Nationals: LHP Andrew Alvarez (2-6, 3.72 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 80 K in 84.2 IP)
The young lefty has carved out a rotation role with solid underlying numbers despite the win-loss record. He limits home runs well and has prior success against Miami (career ERA under 1.00 in limited action vs. the Marlins). He is looking to snap a personal three-game losing streak in which run support has been minimal.
Weather Forecast (Nationals Park)
Expect warm conditions around first pitch: approximately 83–85°F, mostly sunny to partly cloudy, with humidity in the 50–60% range. Wind is forecast around 8–10 mph from the south/southwest (potentially helping balls to left-center). Rain chance is low (around 10% during the game window). Overall a favorable day for baseball with mild hitter-friendly lean due to temperature and wind.
Injury Reports
Marlins
Max Meyer (SP): 15-day IL (neck)
Pete Fairbanks (RP): 15-day IL (nerve)
Anthony Bender (RP): 15-day IL (shin)
Longer-term 60-day IL: Robby Snelling, Adam Mazur, William Kempner, Andrew Nardi, Ronny Henriquez (mostly elbows/ribs)
Key available players include Otto Lopez (SS, .306 AVG), Heriberto Hernández (power), Xavier Edwards, Javier Sanoja, and the core rotation of Sandy Alcantara / Eury Pérez when healthy.
Nationals
James Wood (RF): 10-day IL (oblique)
Drew Millas (C): 10-day IL (finger)
Cade Cavalli (SP): day-to-day (leg)
Longer-term 60-day IL: Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Ken Waldichuk, Mitchell Parker, PJ Poulin, Richard Lovelady, Connelly Early (mostly elbows)
Key available contributors: CJ Abrams (SS, 29 HR / 92 RBI), Daylen Lile (hot of late), Jacob Young, Dylan Crews, Brady House.
Key Player Matchups & Notes
CJ Abrams vs. Junk: Abrams is the Nationals’ top offensive force with power and speed; he thrives against right-handers.
Otto Lopez / Heriberto Hernández vs. Alvarez: Lopez leads Miami in average and provides consistent contact. Hernández has been on a recent home-run streak. Left-handed Alvarez creates platoon advantages for some Marlins righties.
Nationals lead MLB in home runs (190) and rank high in runs scored; Marlins pitching staff ranks better overall in ERA (3.92).
Both bullpens are taxed by injuries, so starter effectiveness and early run support will be critical.
Speed factors: Both teams rank near the top in stolen bases.
Recent Team Forms
Both clubs are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Nationals are riding a three-game home win streak and have outscored opponents slightly in the recent stretch. Marlins have been outscored in their last 10 and struggle on the road (26-41). Nationals Park has been a more favorable venue for Washington of late.
Series History
The Marlins lead the 2026 season series 8-3 entering Sunday’s game (12th meeting of the year). Washington has responded strongly in the current series after being swept in Miami the prior weekend. The clubs play one more game Monday to close the set.
Betting Trends
The lines are nearly even, reflecting two middling teams. Nationals have covered recently at home in this series. Overs have been in play with Washington’s power.
GAME ODDS
Miami Marlins – 112
Washington Nationals 9
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, August 29, 2026
