Marlins' Fernandez Takes Mound Tuesday Against Nationals
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MIAMI (AP) -- Jordan Zimmermann's ERA is more than two runs higher on the road, and even if he's able to correct that it might not be enough against Jose Fernandez at Marlins Park.
The Miami ace has a chance to be the first pitcher in 33 years to win his first 15 home decisions Tuesday night against the Washington Nationals, and Zimmermann could have the added chore of facing Dee Gordon.
Fernandez (3-0, 2.77 ERA) earned the decision in Wednesday's 5-3 win in Arizona, surrendering three runs and five hits with a season-high 11 strikeouts in seven innings of his fourth start back from Tommy John surgery.
"I feel pretty healthy. I feel real normal," Fernandez told MLB's official website. "I feel, I don't want to say like I was before, but I feel like I have grown as a pitcher."
His last two starts have come on the road after winning his first two at home to get to 14-0 with a 1.17 ERA in 22 career starts in Miami. LaMarr Hoyt was the last to have this sort of career-opening run with 16 wins in 10 starts and 30 relief appearances from 1979-82, though it came with a 3.04 ERA.
Among starting pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched in their home ballpark since the start of 2013, Jacob deGrom's 1.59 mark is closest to that of Fernandez. Aroldis Chapman (1.06) is the only reliever with 100 innings pitched and a lower home ERA.
The electric right-hander has made all three of his career starts against Washington in Miami, going 1-0 with a 0.45 ERA. Ian Desmond (0 for 9 with seven strikeouts) and Bryce Harper (0 for 4 with two strikeouts) have been the main victims on the current roster.
That figures to load the pressure on Zimmermann (8-5, 3.30 ERA), who hasn't lost in his last six starts but is 1-0 with a 5.06 in his past three. The win came over Baltimore on July 11 in his last road start, but he gave up four runs and nine hits in five innings of the 7-4 victory. He's 4-2 with a 4.67 ERA in eight away starts while posting a 2.53 mark in 12 at home.
The right-hander has gone 7-0 with a 2.58 ERA in his last 13 starts against the Marlins, and he's 4-1 with a 2.49 mark in 10 career starts in Miami. Catchers J.T. Realmuto and Jeff Mathis are both 0 for 8 against Zimmermann, but Martin Prado is 9 for 23.
Zimmermann could be catching the Marlins (41-58) at the right time after they concluded a 3-7 road trip with three straight losses to San Diego in which they scored four runs. Miami, though, has won six of seven at home.
The recent struggles came without Gordon, who has been out since July 11 with a dislocated left thumb but could be activated for the series opener. The second baseman's .338 average ranks second in the NL, but he's 3 for 15 against Zimmermann.
The Nationals (52-45) began their own 10-game trip by dropping three of four to Pittsburgh. Michael A. Taylor homered for a second straight game in Sunday's 3-1 loss, and he's 5 for 9 after batting .154 in his previous 13 contests.
"It's nice to hit," Taylor said. "I kind of went through a tough streak. Hopefully, I can build off the last couple and have a couple of more good days."
The lineup could be getting an additional boost with Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman potentially joining Washington on the trip.
The Marlins have won four of six in the season series, including a three-game sweep in Miami from April 24-26.
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