Miami at Washington

The Washington Nationals made a late surge, but it was too little too late. They sit 5.5 games out of the final wildcard slot. Catching Cincinnati is not going to happen as the Reds have just nine to play, and Washington has three left at St. Louis after this. Gio Gonzalez has not had the year he did last season, and he enters this one at just 10-7 for the season, and has just 4 wins in his last 11 starts. Henderson Alvarez has opened some eyes, and is off a gem in his last outing. He has shown plus-stuff on the season, and has allowed just 1 home run in over 81 innings of work. The Marlins have some pitching that keeps them in games, and the Nats' loss last night vs. Atlanta was a death blow to their playoffs hopes. Take Miami.