Marlins vs. Nationals prediction and odds for Thursday, August 31 (Back Garrett)

For the season, the Miami Marlins have dominated their series with the Washington Nationals. Miami leads the season series 7-2, but both of those losses came in a three-game series last weekend. Now, they’ll play four games in Washington with the Marlins coming in at 66-67 and the Nats at 62-72. 

Braxton Garrett will go for Miami in Game 1 against Joan Adon. Garrett is 7-5 with a 3.96 ERA and Adon is 2-0 with a 5.25 ERA. 

The Marlins have owned Washington all year and they’re favorites tonight in DC. If you want to ride with the fish or back the Nats you can do it in the DraftKings Sportsbook with this great promo. 

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Garrett is the most important player tonight, both the one on the mound for Miami and the one that’s out of the lineup for Washington. Stone Garrett is on the 60-day IL for Washignton and that’s especially bad against a lefty like Braxton Garrett.

The Nats are No. 9 in OPS against left-handed pitching this season, but that’s largely because of Stone Garrett and Lane Thomas who is listed as day-to-day with back tightness. 

If Thomas can’t go the Nationals are severely limited against a decent left-hander. Braxton Garrett is pitching really well in August with a 3.54 ERA and 18 strikeouts to just four walks. His strikeout rate for the year is a bit better than it has been lately and he has a stellar walk rate in the 97th percentile. His issue is giving up big hits and home runs. He allowed two last time out, but that’s okay against Washington without their best right-handed power bats. 

Joan Adon was great against Miami last time out. He went six scoreless with just three hits and his 4.64 FIP is much better than his ERA which is a good sign. I’m going to trust both pitchers in this matchup, especially with Miami ranking 26th in team OPS in August. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change