Marlins try to turn their month into a series versus the Nationals


miami marlinsMay is just 4-8 after a 16-13 start to the season, set to open a three-game series against a visiting team. washington nationals on tuesday night

last year, the marlins May (7-19) also had a solid start (12-8) for the Bears. They went on to finish the year 69–93. It was their 12th losing season in the last 13 years, with the only exception being the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign

This year, under new manager Skip Shumaker, the marlins On Sunday, the team faced adversity with injuries to AJ Puck (nerve burn) and outfielder Jesus Sanchez (hamstring strain). Sanchez was Miami’s hottest hitter in May with a 1.280 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, while Puk has six saves and a 3.07 ERA this season.

Puk and Sanchez joined in several other Keys marlins on the IL, including outfielder Avicel Garcia and starting pitchers Trevor Rodgers and Johnny Cueto

In addition, center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. – Miami’s most dynamic player in terms of his power-speed combination – missed Sunday’s game because of a toe injury. His status for Tuesday has not yet been determined.

good news for marlins That’s how they welcomed 2022 All-Star first baseman Garrett Cooper to the IL on Sunday. His RBI double came back in his first game. marlins Forward for good in 3-1 win over Cincinnati Reds

“Every season you go through injuries,” Cooper said. “It’s never easy. … Sanchez in particular, swings a bat as good as anyone in the big leagues. It sucks to go down like this, and hopefully he’ll be back soon, but everyone forward We need to do our part to grow.”

That certainly includes left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who will start for Miami on Tuesday. Luzardo (3-2, 3.38 ERA) has been Miami’s best starting pitcher so far this season.

But Luzardo has so far held Washington in four career starts, going 0-2 with a 7.58 ERA.

citizens are the opposite of marlins: declined in March and April (10-17) but improved in May (8-6)

“Let’s forget about the first week of the season,” citizens Manager Dave Martinez said his squad beat the New York Mets 10-3 on Monday. “We’re playing really well.

On Tuesday, Washington will start right-hander Josiah Gray (3-5, 2.96). in eight starts against marlinsGray is 1–3 with a 4.96 ERA. In five starts at Miami, however, he is 1–1 with a 3.41 ERA.

Last season, Gray had trouble commanding his fastball and led the National League in home runs (38) and walks (66). But Gray, who has a plus slider, is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his last four starts.

Gray, in his third season with Washington, is one of his team’s young veterans at age 25. citizens Won the World Series in 2019, but since then his team has languished as management traded away established standouts in a massive rebuilding effort

One of those players Washington got back in those salary dumps is 22-year-old shortstop CJ Abrams, who had a .604 OPS in 90 games last season as a rookie.

In 39 games this season, Abrams has a .722 OPS.

“He doesn’t panic,” Martinez said of Abrams. “Nothing seems to rattle her.”

– Field Level Media