The Washington Nationals close out their road series against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, August 23, with a 1:40 PM ET first pitch at loanDepot park. Jackson Kent gets the ball for Washington against Miami's Janson Junk in what shapes up as a matchup between two pitchers with something to prove. With the regular season grinding toward its final weeks, every game in the standings carries weight, and the Nationals will look to salvage or sweep depending on how this series has unfolded heading into the finale.
Pitching Matchup: Jackson Kent vs. Janson Junk
Jackson Kent draws the Sunday start for Washington. The right-hander has been part of a Nationals rotation that has leaned on its younger arms to carry the load through the back half of the regular season. Kent will need to work efficiently against a Marlins lineup that plays its home games in one of the most pitcher-friendly environments in the National League — loanDepot park's expansive outfield and heavy air can neutralize even the most dangerous bats on a given afternoon.
On the other side, Miami sends Janson Junk to the mound. The name has always gotten attention, but Junk has had to earn every start in a Marlins organization that has been rebuilding its pitching depth. He presents a legitimate test for Washington's lineup, and the Nationals' hitters will need to be disciplined early if they want to get into Miami's bullpen before the late innings.
Keys to Watch for the Nationals
- Kent's command early: Getting through the first two innings cleanly sets the tone. loanDepot park can be forgiving to pitchers, but a shaky first inning changes the entire complexion of a road game.
- Plate discipline against Junk: Working counts and getting on base will be critical. Washington cannot afford to let Miami's starter cruise through five or six innings on minimal pitches.
- Bullpen management: With a 1:40 PM start in late-August Miami heat, fatigue becomes a real factor by the fifth inning. How Washington's manager deploys the pen after Kent could decide this one.
- Capitalizing with runners in scoring position: Road wins in close games come down to whether you cash in when the opportunity is there. Stranding runners against a pitcher like Junk is a quick path to a loss.
Broadcast Information
Sunday's game can be seen on Nationals.TV for Washington fans. Radio coverage is available on WJFK 106.7 The Fan. Miami-side coverage airs on Marlins.TV and WQAM 104.3, with Spanish-language radio on WAQI 710 AM.
Prediction
This is a winnable game for Washington. Kent has the opportunity to go out and outperform expectations against a Marlins team that has not given opposing pitchers many problems this season. The Nationals take this one on the road, 4-2, with Kent delivering a quality start and the offense doing just enough damage against Junk in the middle innings to make it hold up.
