The Miami Marlins wrap up their road trip with a Sunday matinee against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 30, with first pitch set for 12:15 PM ET. Janson Junk gets the ball for Miami opposite Washington's Andrew Alvarez in what shapes up as a matchup of two clubs leaning on younger arms. The game streams on Peacock/NBCSN and airs locally on WQAM 104.3 FM, with Spanish-language coverage available on WAQI 710 AM. For Marlins fans making the trip up I-95, this is a rare chance to catch the Fish in a close division road setting.

Marlins vs. Nationals Pitching Matchup: Junk vs. Alvarez

Janson Junk draws the start for the Marlins, and make no mistake — the name gets attention, but the assignment is serious. Junk has worked his way into Miami's rotation and will need to keep Washington's lineup in check through the middle innings if the Marlins want to steal this one on the road. His command and ability to generate weak contact will be the primary storyline on the mound for Miami.

On the other side, Washington counters with Andrew Alvarez, a left-handed option who gives the Nationals a chance to keep Miami's lineup off balance. With neither starter carrying verified ERA or record data into this preview, the game figures to hinge on which pitcher can establish a rhythm early and give his bullpen a chance to breathe late.

Marlins Lineup and Keys to Watch

Miami's lineup has some interesting construction on Sunday. Heriberto Hernández leads off in left field, with Otto Lopez slotting in at shortstop in the two-hole. Agustín Ramírez gets the DH spot and bats third, followed by Esteury Ruiz in right field batting cleanup. Xavier Edwards hits fifth at second base, with Javier Sanoja, Leo Jiménez, Jakob Marsee, and Brian Navarreto rounding out the bottom of the order.

• Esteury Ruiz batting cleanup: Ruiz's speed in the heart of the order gives Miami a different kind of threat — the kind that pressures infields even on routine plays. Watch how Washington pitches around him.
• Xavier Edwards at five: Edwards is a contact-first hitter who can work counts and keep innings alive. His plate discipline in the middle of the order could be a quiet difference-maker against Alvarez.
• Bottom of the order depth: Marsee and Navarreto in the eight and nine spots mean Junk will need run support from unexpected places. If the bottom third can get on base, the top of the order gets more opportunities.
• Junk's first-inning approach: Washington's CJ Abrams leads off and is a legitimate on-base threat. How Junk handles the top of the Nationals' lineup in the first sets the tone for his entire afternoon.

Washington Nationals Lineup to Watch

Washington puts together a young and intriguing lineup. Abrams opens things up at second base, followed by Abimelec Ortiz as the DH. Andrés Chaparro bats third at first base, with Daylen Lile hitting cleanup in left and Dylan Crews batting fifth in right. Jorbit Vivas handles third base in the six spot, Harry Ford catches and hits seventh, Jacob Young patrols center field in the eight hole, and Nasim Nuñez closes the order at shortstop. It is a lineup with athleticism throughout, and Miami's defense will need to stay sharp.

Prediction

This one has the look of a low-scoring, grind-it-out Sunday game — the kind where a two-run inning feels decisive. Both starters are capable of keeping it close into the fifth or sixth inning, which puts the onus on each bullpen. Miami's lineup has enough speed and contact ability to manufacture a run or two without relying on the long ball. Marlins take this one, 3-2, with the offense doing just enough to give Junk and the bullpen a lead worth protecting.