MIAMI - Is it actually possible that the fate of the Nationals' season comes down to one game on July 29 at Marlins Park?
If they win today's series finale, they'll reach the trade deadline with a winning record and be either five or six games back in the division. If they lose, they'll reach the trade deadline with a losing record and be either six or seven games back in the division. In reality, that's not a significant difference. In the perception of the people who must decide whether to be buyers or sellers, it could be significant.
Whatever the case may be, this much is clear: The Nats would greatly benefit from winning today's game. They'll need a solid start from Jeremy Hellickson, who was roughed up by the Marlins the last time he faced them - that was the game his teammates stormed back from nine runs down to win - and they'll need a better offensive showing against José Ureña, who gave up four runs in six inning in his lone appearance versus the Nationals this season and is 2-10 with a 4.63 ERA overall.
Third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is supposed to come off paternity leave today, is not in the lineup. Details on his status to come ...
Updated: Rendon has been shifted to the Family Medical Leave List, having spent the maximum three days on the Paternity Leave List. So Matt Reynolds remains on the 25-man roster.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Marlins Park
Gametime: 1:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Indoors
NATIONALS
RF Adam Eaton
SS Trea Turner
CF Bryce Harper
1B Matt Adams
LF Juan Soto
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Mark Reynolds
C Spencer Kieboom
RHP Jeremy Hellickson
MARLINS
LF Derek Dietrich
RF Brian Anderson
C J.T. Realmuto
1B Justin Bour
3B Martin Prado
SS JT Riddle
2B Miguel Rojas
CF Magneuris Sierra
RHP Jose Urena
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