The Washington Nationals close out their Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park when they host the Miami Marlins at 12:15 PM ET on August 30. Andrew Alvarez gets the ball for Washington against Miami's Janson Junk in what shapes up as a matchup between two clubs still writing the story of their 2026 seasons. The game airs on Peacock/NBCSN for TV viewers, with radio coverage on WJFK 106.7 The Fan in English and WAQI 710 AM in Spanish for Miami fans tuning in.

Starting Pitchers: Andrew Alvarez vs. Janson Junk

Andrew Alvarez draws the start for the Nationals. The left-hander has been part of Washington's pitching mix this season, and Sunday's assignment gives him a chance to build on his body of work against a Marlins lineup that carries some legitimate contact threats. Alvarez will need to work efficiently and keep the ball in the park at Nationals Park, where the afternoon sun and late-summer air can play tricks on fly balls.

Opposing him is Janson Junk, who makes the trip to D.C. for Miami. Junk has carved out a role in the Marlins' rotation this season, and he's the kind of arm that can keep a game close if his command is on. The Nationals will need to be patient and not chase early if they want to get into the Miami bullpen.

Washington Nationals Starting Lineup

• CJ Abrams — 2B
• Abimelec Ortiz — DH
• Andrés Chaparro — 1B
• Daylen Lile — LF
• Dylan Crews — RF
• Jorbit Vivas — 3B
• Harry Ford — C
• Jacob Young — CF
• Nasim Nuñez — SS

Miami Marlins Starting Lineup

• Heriberto Hernández — LF
• Otto Lopez — SS
• Agustín Ramírez — DH
• Esteury Ruiz — RF
• Xavier Edwards — 2B
• Javier Sanoja — 3B
• Leo Jiménez — 1B
• Jakob Marsee — CF
• Brian Navarreto — C

Keys to Watch for the Nationals

• Abrams setting the table: CJ Abrams leading off from the two-hole at second base means Washington wants him on base and creating chaos early. His ability to get on and use his speed puts immediate pressure on Junk.
• Chaparro and Lile in the middle of the order: Andrés Chaparro at third and Daylen Lile batting cleanup give Washington a left-handed presence in the heart of the order. If Junk leans on one side of the plate, those two need to punish it.
• Dylan Crews continuing to develop: Batting fifth, Crews is one of the names Nationals fans track most closely. Every at-bat against a major league arm is meaningful for the young outfielder's growth.
• Harry Ford behind the plate: Ford handles Alvarez's day, and his pitch framing and game-calling will matter in a matchup where both starters figure to be tested early.

Prediction

This is a winnable afternoon game for Washington at home. Alvarez needs to give the Nationals five or six innings of competitive baseball, and the lineup — anchored by Abrams at the top and Chaparro and Lile in the middle — has enough pop to do damage against Junk if they see pitches to hit. Miami's lineup is not without danger, particularly Esteury Ruiz and Xavier Edwards, who can create trouble in different ways. Expect a close game that comes down to the bullpens late. Nationals take it, 4–2.