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.