Game 125 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

The Nationals need to win every series from here on out, and when they face last-place teams, they pretty much have to sweep those series too.

With the Braves and Phillies losing Saturday, the Nats lost a golden opportunity to move up in posting their 7-5, 10-inning loss to the Marlins. They still stand a full seven games out of first place in the National League East with only 38 games remaining.

Daniel Murphy generated a big base hit in an 11-pitch at-bat to begin a two-run rally in the seventh, but also had a fielding error that derailed a potential double play in the sixth inning. Miami scored two runs in that frame.

It was another example of the start-stop feel of 2018: The Nats have never been able to be consistent for complete innings, let alone games or series, to build up any positive, long-term momentum.

Did Murphy think the loss Saturday - which forced them back to the .500 mark (62-62) - felt similar to others the Nats have had to endure this season?

"I mean, you have a record, so you look at your overall record," Murphy said. "But as far as compartmentalizing, I don't know. It was a tough one to lose. I make an error right there, put us behind schedule, and then I misplay a line drive. It was a direct hand in us losing this ballgame.

Today in the series finale, the Nats turn to left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who has been outstanding in his career against his hometown team, the Marlins: With a minimum of 18 starts, his 1.89 career ERA against Miami is second best in baseball against any opponent. He is 10-3 with 111 strikeouts against the Marlins lifetime.

Right-hander José Ureña (3-12, 4.74 ERA) does indeed get to pitch today, despite a six-game suspension hovering over his head for "intentionally" hitting Braves rookie Ronald Acuña last week. He only threw one pitch Wednesday against Atlanta before being ejected. He is 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA in 10 games (four starts) in his career versus the Nationals. He also is 1-1 with an 8.44 ERA in five appearances at Nationals Park. This is his second career start in D.C.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 81 degrees, wind 6 mph out to left field

NATIONALS

CF Adam Eaton
SS Trea Turner
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
2B Daniel Murphy
1B Matt Adams
C Matt Wieters
LHP Gio Gonzalez

MARLINS
RF Rafael Ortega
1B J.T. Realmuto
3B Brian Anderson
2B Starlin Castro
LF Austin Dean
SS JT Riddle
CF Isaac Galloway
C Bryan Holaday
RHP José Ureña