Nationals game blog: Jordan Zimmermann starts series opener against Marlins

MIAMI - On a day with trade rumors flying around and a deal actually made, there's still a baseball game to play tonight. The Nationals open a three-game series tonight against the Marlins in Miami to start a stretch of six straight games against National League East division foes.

The Nats have the third-best record in the NL since June 19 at 18-12 (.600) behind only the Cardinals (21-12) and Giants (19-12). Over that stretch, the Nationals are outscoring their opponents 118-90.

But a major part of the club's success during that run was the pitching. Washington's pitching staff is first in the majors in walks per nine innings (1.45), strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.56), WHIP (1.07), baserunners per nine innings (9.98) and third in ERA (2.91).

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound tonight for the Nationals to open this three-game series at Marlins Park. This will be the third time Zimmermann has faced the Marlins this season, and although he hasn't recorded a win, he has posted quality starts in each of his previous two.

Zimmermann went six innings and gave up six hits, two runs and struck up four while taking the no-decision in the Nats' 3-2 loss to the Marlins in Miami back on April 24. He then went seven innings, allowing six hits, two runs (one earned) with four strikeouts in the Nats' 6-4 win back on May 4 at Nationals Park.

The Marlins will throw right-hander Jose Fernandez, who is making this fourth career start against the Nats. He is 1-0 with a 0.45 ERA against Washington with all his starts coming at home. In his last start against the Nationals on April 16 of last year, his pitched seven innings while giving up four hits, three runs (no earned) with 10 strikeouts.

Jayson Werth (left wrist contusion) and Ryan Zimmerman (plantar fascitis) have both been reinstated from the disabled list and are in the starting lineup for the Nats. Werth is playing left field and batting third, while batting .208 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in just 27 games with the Nationals this season. Zimmerman is at first base and batting fifth in the lineup, and he has hit .209 with five homers and 34 RBIs in 56 games this season.

Meanwhile, shortstop Ian Desmond has been hot lately, going 11-for-23 (.478) over his seven game hit streak that includes four home runs, seven RBIs, four walks, a stolen base and eight runs scored. In speaking of reaching base safely in consecutive games, right fielder Bryce Harper has done so in a career-best 23 straight games since June 24. He has 24 hits and 18 walks (four intentional) over that stretch. Harper has also reached safely in 42 straight road games, which is the longest streak in the majors this season and longest in Nationals history.