Marlins (73-65)
Dontrelle Willis, LHP (19-8, 2.55)
Washington Nationals (72-67)
John Halama, LHP (1-3, 5.80)
Scouting Report:
Now that the D-Train has set a franchise record with 19 victories, the 23-year-old left-hander will seek to become the first Marlins pitcher to win 20. Barely missing his seventh complete game of the season, Willis worked 8 1/3 innings in his last start, beating the Mets, 4-2. The left-hander has won four straight starts. With 194 1/3 innings pitched, he is closing in on his first 200-inning season. He tossed 197 innings last year.
Halama will face the Marlins for the third time in his career. Halama hopes to rebound from his last start. He gave up six runs in three innings against the Phillies last Friday. With the score tied at 1, the Phillies scored five runs in the top of the third, highlighted by a grand slam by David Bell. Manager Frank Robinson said the five-run inning took the Nationals out of the ballgame.
Starting Lineups:
No. Florida Washington
1 Luis Castillo, 2B Marlon Byrd, LF
2 Jeff Conine, LF Deivi Cruz, 2B
3 Miguel Cabrera, 3B Jose Guillen, RF
4 Carlos Delgado, 1B Preston Wilson, CF
5 Juan Encarnacion, RF Vinny Castilla, 3B
6 Paul Lo Duca, C Ryan Zimmerman, SS
7 Juan Pierre, CF Carlos Baerga, 1B
8 Damion Easley, SS Gary Bennett, C
9 Dantrelle Willis, P John Halama, P
