Game 42 lineups: Nats at Marlins

MIAMI - Welcome to the Sunshine State, or as I like to call it, especially this weekend, the Mostly Sunshine But Guaranteed Popup Rain Shower in Afternoon Each Day State. I know, that just wouldn't fit on the license plate.

Rain is expected each day the Nationals are in town, but that is a moot point with each game indoors at Marlins Park.

Fresh off an impressive series win against the defending National League champion New York Mets, the Nationals stay on the road and within the division in Miami tonight as they begin a three-game set against the Marlins.

Miami just dropped two of three at Philadelphia, but has split a pair of four-game series with the Nationals in the last two meetings. The season series is all even at 5-5.

The teams also played close to even last year, with the Nationals barely taking the season series 10-9.

The Nationals are also looking to finish off the trip on an upswing, something they were unable to accomplish during last week's 10-game roadie. The Nationals raced out of the gate, going 5-1 in St. Louis and Kansas City, but then slowing down against the NL's top team, the Cubs, going 0-4 in that final series before heading home.

There was a lot of talk about the Nationals' struggles on offense heading to New York. And with Noah Syndergaard rolling, the Nats were shut out in Game 1 2-0. But with Jayson Werth switching to the No. 2 hole and Anthony Rendon to No. 6, both players ignited the offense. Werth had three walks and three runs scored on Tuesday, while Rendon finished the series with five hits in the last two games. The team responded by outscoring the Mets 16-2 in two wins to finish with a series victory.

Of course, right-hander Tanner Roark (2-3, 3.10 ERA) needs no reminder about his track record against the Marlins this year and his splits versus the rest of the field. All three of his losses have been against Miami, including last Saturday's doubleheader nightcap when he allowed a season-worst seven runs in five innings.

Left-hander Justin Nicolino (2-1, 3.75 ERA) gets the call for the Marlins. He gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings in Game 1 last Saturday in D.C.

The Marlins had Thursday off, while the Nationals arrived in the wee hours of the morning from New York.

Michael A. Taylor will lead off and start in center field while Ben Revere gets the day off.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Marlins Park, Miami
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, XM 186 (home), Internet 869 (away), MLB.com
Weather: Indoors

Nationals (25-16)
CF Michael A. Taylor
LF Jayson Werth
RF Bryce Harper
2B Daniel Murphy
1B Ryan Zimmerman
3B Anthony Rendon
C Wilson Ramos
SS Danny Espinosa
RHP Tanner Roark

Marlins (21-19)
2B Derek Dietrich
3B Martin Prado
LF Christian Yelich
RF Giancarlo Stanton
CF Marcell Ozuna
1B Justin Bour
C J.T. Realmuto
SS Adeiny Hechavarria
LHP Justin Nicolino