Nats game blog: Nationals face Fish with September on the horizon

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

August 28, 2015, 2:32pm

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The Nationals and the Marlins begin a three-game set at Nationals Park with right-hander Max Scherzer moved up in the rotation to take on left-hander Adam Conley.

Scherzer was pushed to today so he could pitch Wednesday night on schedule in St. Louis. He is 11-10 with a 2.79 ERA.

Conley is 1-1 with a 4.88 ERA for the Marlins, who are 26 games below .500.

Amazingly, and part of an issue this season, the Marlins actually hold a 5-4 lead in the season series with the Nationals. It is Miami's only winning record against any of the National League East opponents.

Trea Turner makes his first start for the Nationals and will play second base. He has almost exclusively played shortstop in his minor league career with 161 games at short and two at second base.

Danny Espinosa starts in left field, Bryce Harper in center field and Jayson Werth in right field.

Michael A. Taylor can play, but the Nats likely would prefer to give him a full day of rest after suffering a right knee contusion last night.

This is a series the Nationals have to have and really need to sweep. The Mets have gone 14-0 against the Marlins, Phillies and Rockies in August. They aren't just winning series, they are sweeping series. The Nats need to start doing the same.

The Nationals are having an 1980s theme Saturday night. If you could pick an '80s hit for each Nationals player walk up song, which one would you select? I think someone should use "Eye of the Tiger" for Craig Stammen.