Game 78 lineups: Nats at Marlins (roster moves announced)

MIAMI - There isn't nearly the kind of buzz surrounding the Nationals' upcoming week as there was for the last one, but that doesn't mean this isn't an important road trip for the team. It also doesn't mean it's going to be an easy one.

Though the Marlins own the National League's worst record, they're playing a whole lot better right now than they were to begin the season. After opening up a dreadful 10-31, they've gone 20-15 since May 17, and they'll ride a four-game winning streak into this series. How are they doing it? On the surprising strength of their rotation, which boasts a collective 3.71 ERA (third-best in the majors).

Trevor Richards has been among the effective members of that rotation, and the right-hander gets the start tonight having allowing zero or one earned run in five of his last six outings. The Nationals faced him back in April, scoring three runs in 6 1/3 innings. That, of course, was a very different lineup, with both Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon injured. We'll see how the now-healthy Nats fare vs. Richards tonight.

Max Scherzer gets the ball for the Nationals, and you know he's been on a roll. Over his last six starts, the ace is 4-0 with an 0.88 ERA, 0.854 WHIP and 59 strikeouts in only 41 innings. Yeah, he's still got it.

Meanwhile, the Nationals have officially announced today's roster moves: As you already know, they've promoted relievers Fernando Rodney and Jonny Venters to the major league bullpen. To clear a spot on the 25-man roster, they optioned Kyle McGowin to Triple-A Fresno. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, they transferred Jeremy Hellickson to the 60-day injured list.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Marlins Park
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Indoors

NATIONALS (37-40)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Howie Kendrick
C Kurt Suzuki
2B Brian Dozier
CF Victor Robles
RHP Max Scherzer

MARLINS (30-46)
SS Miguel Rojas
RF Garrett Cooper
3B Brian Anderson
2B Starlin Castro
1B Neil Walker
LF Curtis Granderson
CF JT Riddle
C Wilkin Castillo
RHP Trevor Richards