Nationals vs Marlins MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
The Miami Marlins are in some desperate need of some wins after a miserable first half of the season, which currently has them sitting four games under .500 after skidding into the All Star break on a two-game losing streak.
Washington meanwhile, arrives in Florida sitting in first place, four games up on Atlanta in the NL East.
They will aim to win their seventh game in their last 10, when they look to cook the Fish on Friday.
WAS: Jordan Zimmerman (5-6, 2.61 ERA) v MIA: Josh Johnson (5-5, 4.06 ERA)
Date/Time: Friday, July 13, 2012, 7:10 PM ET
Venue: Marlins Ballpark, Miami, Florida
Broadcast: MASN2 (Washington), FOX Sports (Florida)
Line: Marlins -119
Over/Under: 7.5
The Nationals are sitting on D.C.’s first winning season in baseball in 43 years, with the most All-Stars representing the team since its inception seven years ago, so a quality second half doesn’t seem too farfetched
The bullpen is full of quality arms, and boasts the league’s best ERA at 3.20.
Nationals starting pitcher, 26-year-old righty Jordan Zimmerman will take the mound on Friday the 13, looking for a little more luck than he had his last time out. Zimmerman made his seventh consecutive quality start against the Rockies last Sunday, but after seven strong innings, allowing just a single run and three hits, was tagged with a 4-3 loss to close out the first half of the season.
Washington failed to give Zimmermann the proper run support against the Rockies, something he will need in Miami (41-44).
He surrendered four runs over six innings as he suffered his sixth loss in his only outing of the season against the Marlins. However, Zimmerman is 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in his last seven starts. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Miami’s answer to that will by 28-year old Josh Johnson.
The right-handed slinger will top the Marlins rotation to begin the second half of the season, and will look to get started by putting one in the win column early on.
After a rough start to the season, Johnson is 5-2 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over his last 11 starts. He went six innings and gave up three runs in his last start against D.C. back on May 30, so he knows the lineup.
The Nats (49-34) rank just 22nd in the majors in runs scored at the break, so Johnson could be expected to keep his strong run up.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Washington–Despite the lack of runs, I expect the Nats bulletproof bullpen to get it done once again, especially against a mediocre Marlins lineup.
