My Team: Nationals at Miami

Proposed starters -

Friday: Strasburg vs Eovaldi
Saturday: Haren vs J. Fernandez
Sunday: Jordan vs Slowey

(Starters subject to change)

Treading water. That's what it looks like, from where I sit. Good things happen (like Desmond's season). Bad things happen (the team's offense, overall). The All-Star break commences after this series, and Washington would love a sweep this weekend. The Marlins are the type of team that contenders dominate. Are the Nats as good as I thought in March?

On Wednesday, the Marlins broke a five-game losing streak with a home win against Atlanta. Looking at this Miami roster, they have familiar veteran names like Placido Polanco, Juan Pierre and Greg Dobbs. Giancarlo Stanton is the power guy who would get more attention on a better team. Logan Morrison has shown flashes of potential, between periods of injury.

The Marlins' pitching staff has potential with Jose Fernandez and Henderson Alvarez. A good-looking young position player, Adeiny Hechavarria, homered the last time the two teams met. He leads his team with a .236 BA.

After the Nationals losing three of four in Philadelphia, it's hard to tell what Washington will do against this Marlins' team. One would expect the Nationals to sweep this struggling Miami bunch, but I don't have any idea.

Washington's offense is so inconsistent. Philadelphia made four errors on Thursday night, but the Nats couldn't cash in.

Strasburg should dominate on Friday night, but he shows signs of fatigue and frustration on hot nights. If the roof is open, look for him to struggle around the 6th inning. Haren showed his experience in a solid start last time out against Philly; I hope he can continue against the Marlins. Jordan also looked pretty good last time out against the Phillies. Maybe Miami is an opportunity for him to gain more confidence.

The first half of this season has been underwhelming, to be charitable. Maybe winning this series, plus taking a break, will give the Nationals a boost once the second half of the season starts. Maybe...