Opposite dugout: Marlins haven't improved much since managerial change

Manager: Dan Jennings (1st year)

Record: 41-58

Last 10 games: 3-7

Who to watch: SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.276, 37 RBIs), LF Christian Yelich (.265, 5 HR, 22 RBIs), 1B Justin Boar (.263 with 10 HR, 30 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (3-0, 2.77 ERA), RHP Tom Koehler (8-6, 3.16 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos

Season series vs. Nationals: 4-2

Pitching probables:

July 28: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Jose Fernandez, 7:10 p.m., MASN2
July 29: RHP Doug Fister vs. RHP Tom Koehler, 7:10 p.m., MASN2
July 30: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Dan Haren, 12:10 p.m., MASN

Inside the Marlins:

The Dan Jennings era in Miami hasn't gone well. The Marlins have gone 25-36 since Jennings moved from the front office to take the helm in late May, his first managerial gig since he skippered high school ball in his native Alabama. If not for the Phillies, the Marlins would be in the National League East basement. So at least someone is thankful for the struggles in the City of Brotherly Love.

Previewing the Marlins for a series just before the non-waiver trading deadline is no easy task. They are full of players who might be attractive to a contender, providing they are deemed expendable in Miami's rebuild. With Jennings still holding the title of general manger, it'll be easy to see what he does in his GM role to help the long-term future of the club he's now managing. Hopefully, the manager will like the GM's moves. If not, it might make for some uncomfortable conversations.

Second baseman Dee Gordon is on the disabled list with a broken finger, slugger Giancarlo Stanton is sidelined with a left wrist fracture and center fielder Marcell Ozuna played his way back to Triple-A with a horrible performance in his walk year. The Marlins have gotten some nice production from first baseman Justin Boar, who has 10 homers and has pushed oft-injured Michael Morse, a big offseason free agent signing, into a bench role and trade talks. Left fielder Christian Yelich has rebounded from some early back troubles. But without Gordon setting the table and Stanton bashing homers, the offense has been running in the South Beach sand.

Luckily, the Marlins have gotten some decent enough pitching, and they've been buoyed by the return of right-hander Jose Fernandez from Tommy John surgery. The Marlins 3.69 ERA is in the middle of the NL pack, but their 3.25 bullpen ERA is fifth in the NL. Deposed closer Steve Cishek was sent packing to St. Louis last week, and there could be more deals affecting the Marlins staff before the 4 p.m. Friday deadline.

Fernandez gets the nod for Tuesday's series opener and he's shown no ill effects since coming back from Tommy John surgery. He's 3-0 and has gone at least six innings in all four of his starts. Fernandez is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA at night and has held opponents to a .227 batting average, though that mark rises to .265 at Marlins Park. A fastball/slider combination accounts for 86 percent of his pitches, and he's been hittable in the first inning when foes have a .333 mark. In three career starts against the Nationals, Fernandez is 1-0 with a stingy 0.45 ERA.

Right-hander Tom Koehler, who is slated for Wednesday's start, is one of those players who has been drawing some trade interest. He's got six quality starts in a row and is coming off a July 23 start in which he worked seven scoreless three-hit innings at San Diego. In July, he's gone 2-2 with a 1.44 ERA. At home, he's held opponents to a .199 average, but he's been hittable with runners in scoring position, with foes slashing .311/.393//486 in such situations. A fastball/curveball pitcher, Koehler has had trouble with his 46th through 60th pitches, when opponents slash .368/.436/.603. He's 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in two starts versus the Nats this season and 3-4 with a 3.83 ERA in seven lifetime starts against Washington.

Ex-National Dan Haren, another guy whose name has come up in trade chatter, is slated to take the mound for Thursday's matinee. His 3.50 ERA and 1.10 WHIP are his best marks in four seasons, but he's had trouble with the home run ball - Haren has yielded six longballs in 29 2/3 July innings and 20 in 123 innings this season. He's held righty hitters to a .211 batting average and is 4-1 with a 3.25 ERA in day games. Not bad for a guy whose fastball doesn't break 90 anymore. He won his only start against the Nats this season, and is 4-3 with a 2.85 ERA in eight games (seven starts) in his career against Washington.