Marlins Recall Infielder, Look to Clinch Nationals Series

LOANDEPOT PARK – After a 3-2 comeback win on Friday, the Miami Marlins look to build on their recent momentum, stay in the win column and the National League Wild Card race, and clinch the series against the Washington Nationals.

Pinch hitter/third baseman Javier Sanoja delivered the walk-off run-batted-in single, the first in his three-year major league career. Despite the early offensive struggles, the Marlins kept the game close enough to finish on top.

However, with 33 games left on the regular-season schedule, there aren’t many opportunities left.

The Nationals are starting Jake Irvin on the mound on Saturday. He’s produced a 5.80 ERA and a 2-7 record in 71.1 innings (15 starts). Irvin relies on six pitches:

- Four Seamer (28.3 percent)

- Curveball (23.8 percent)

- Sinker (21 percent)

- Cutter (10.9 percent)

- Sweeper (9.2 percent)

- Changeup (6.8 percent)

The Marlins’ lineup has an opportunity to take advantage of the Irvin matchup. He has a below-average chase rate (third percentile), whiff rate (41st percentile), and barely an above-average strikeout rate (52nd percentile). Irvin has walked at least two batters in his last four starts.

Meanwhile, Eury Perez will start for the Marlins. He’s produced a 1.80 ERA and a 3-3 record since coming off the injured list on June 24 against the Texas Rangers. Perez relies on six pitches:

- Four Seamer (38.9 percent)

- Sinker (16.6 percent)

- Slider (16 percent)

- Sweeper (13.8 percent)

- Changeup (nine percent)

- Curveball (5.7 percent)

Perez dominated his last two starts, allowing just five hits and no earned runs.

Griffin Conine (batting second) remains at first base, but a familiar face returns to the position. The Marlins announced ahead of the game that infielder Deyvison De Los Santos has been called up from Jacksonville (Triple-A). Meanwhile, catcher Logan Driscoll gets sent down. 

De Los Santos is batting .281 with an .831 OPS, including 101 hits in 360 at-bats, 18 doubles, a triple, 65 runs batted in, and 18 home runs in 96 games with the Jumbo Shrimp. He’s played primarily at first base, but also at designated hitter.

Owen Caissie (batting second) will serve as a designated hitter and Sanoja (batting eighth) returns to the starting lineup.

The game will be televised on Nationals.TV, Fox Sports 1, and Marlins.TV. For radio options, the Nationals’ broadcast will be on WJFK 106.7 and the Marlins on 560AM WQAM and WAQI 710.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. E.T.

Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: alexagmu@gmail.com & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports