[TheBayouBengal]

Gio Gonzalez has been phenomenal in his first season in Washington, earning an All-Star selection while helping the Nationals to the top of the NL East.

Mark Buehrle hasn't been quite as sharp in his first season with the Miami Marlins, but he is showing signs of turning things around.

Gonzalez looks to win his fifth straight start Saturday night in Miami, where Buehrle tries to help the Marlins avoid a four-game losing streak and win his fourth consecutive start.

The Nationals (50-34) opened the second half of the season with Friday's 5-1 win over the Marlins (41-45) for their sixth victory in eight games. Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche looked particularly refreshed after the break, with Zimmerman going 3 for 4 with a two-run homer and LaRoche finishing 3 for 4 with two runs.

Buehrle (8-8, 3.25), who signed as a free agent with Miami in December after spending the first 12 seasons of his career with the Chicago White Sox, is trying to win four consecutive starts for the first time since reeling off five in a row in the spring of 2009. His current run comes on the heels of a four-start losing streak in which he posted a 5.48 ERA. The lefty had a 0.83 ERA in his final three games before the break.

While Buehrle appears on track, Miami's biggest concern is an offense that has plated seven runs while batting .202 during a three-game skid. Not helping matters is the Marlins - 10 games back of Washington - are expected to be without Giancarlo Stanton (right knee surgery) for the foreseeable future after placing him on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

Washington Nationals Trends :
Nationals are 5-0 in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Nationals are 5-1 in their last 6 during game 2 of a series.
Nationals are 8-2 in their last 10 games as a road underdog.
Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Minus 80 % Trends
Nationals are 1-4 in their last 5 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Nationals are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.

Florida Marlins Trends :
Marlins are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a favorite.
Marlins are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
Marlins are 4-1 in their last 5 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Marlins are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Marlins are 4-1 in their last 5 home games.



While several guys seem to be on this play there's a Factsman video on it at DonBest. He gives a nice break down of the game as he sees it.


http://tv.donbest.com/mlb/mlb-nationals-marlins-6402/


Today the Marlins win.

[TheBayouBengal]

Hell of a pitching match by both sides and a low-scoring game too. Don't see the Marlins winning on Sunday though as they'll be facing big bad Strasburgh. Strasburg has gone 9-4 with a 2.82 ERA while striking out 128 in 99 innings. He had a rough time in his final three starts before the break, losing each and compiling a 4.80 ERA. Today i'm not so much going with Strasburgh as i am going against Nolasco - however i do believe in Strasburgh and think he will step up today and try to finish strong (assuming they stick to the limited inning plan)

Nationals are 5-0 in their last 5 games following a loss.
Nationals are 5-1 in their last 6games vs. a right-handed starter.
Nationals are 8-1 in Strasburgs last 9road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Nationals are 6-1 in Strasburgs last 7starts vs. National League East.
Nationals are 10-3 in Strasburgs last13 road starts.
Marlins are 1-4 in Nolascos last 5starts with 8 or more days of rest.
Marlins are 1-4 in Nolascos last 5home starts.
Marlins are 0-4 in Nolascos last 4home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Marlins are 0-4 in Nolascos last 4starts as a home underdog of +110 to +150.


Nationals on Sunday.

[takzilla]

good sh1t. where do you get the trends from?

[TheBayouBengal]

good sh1t. where do you get the trends from?

Covers
Sports Insights
Fox Sheets

Those are 3 I primarily use.

[TheBayouBengal]

Well Washington tried really hard to give it away in the 9th but held on for the win.