The Miami Marlins wrap up their series against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with first pitch set for 1:40 PM ET at loanDepot park. Miami will hand the ball to right-hander Janson Junk opposite Washington's Jackson Kent in what shapes up as a pitching matchup between two arms looking to make their case. For the Marlins, a home win here is the kind of afternoon game loanDepot park was built for — South Florida heat, a divisional opponent, and a chance to pick up valuable NL East ground.
Probable Starters: Janson Junk vs. Jackson Kent
Janson Junk gets the nod for Miami. The right-hander has carved out a spot in this rotation by competing and keeping the ball in the park, which matters enormously at a venue that can play fast when the humidity lets a baseball carry. Junk will need to command the strike zone and give the Marlins' lineup a chance to do damage against a Washington club that is similarly positioned in the division standings.
For the Nationals, Jackson Kent gets the assignment. Kent is a name Marlins fans should start tracking — Washington has been developing young arms with an eye toward the future, and Sunday afternoon at loanDepot park will be a test of how he handles a home crowd atmosphere that can turn quickly in Miami's favor.
Keys to Watch in Sunday's Matchup
- Junk's command: The Marlins need innings. If Junk can attack the zone early and limit walks, Miami avoids taxing a bullpen that has been worked hard throughout this stretch of the season.
- Capitalizing at home: loanDepot park is Miami's living room. The Marlins need to treat it that way — aggressive on the bases, sharp in the field, and putting together quality at-bats against a pitcher the lineup is seeing for a limited number of times.
- Bullpen management: However deep Junk goes, the late innings will likely come down to how Miami deploys its relievers. Protecting a lead or manufacturing a comeback both run through the bullpen.
- Washington's lineup discipline: The Nationals are not a club to take lightly. Their hitters can work counts and create traffic on the bases, so Junk keeping the lineup off balance will be critical to a quality start.
Prediction
Home field matters on a Sunday afternoon, and the Marlins have the familiarity advantage at loanDepot park. Junk gives Miami a solid six innings, the offense does enough against a relatively unknown quantity in Kent, and the Fish take this one in front of the home crowd. Marlins 4, Nationals 2.
Catch the game on Marlins.TV presented by Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, or listen locally on WQAM 104.3. Spanish-language coverage is available on WAQI 710.
