The Miami Marlins are in the midst of a season-high five-game losing streak entering a three-game road series against the Washington Nationals. 

Just as much as the Marlins need a bounce back, so does their ace, Sandy Alcantara. His previous outing was his worst of the season, where he allowed a season-high eight earned runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched in the Marlins’ 8-1 loss against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Marlins have historically had the upper hand against the Nationals with Alcantara on the mound. The Marlins are 11-6 against Washington, while Alcantara has a 3.55 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 109 innings. 

The Marlins made some moves with the roster to add reinforcements for their bullpen leading up to Monday’s game. Miami selected the contract of right-handed pitchers Zach Brzykcy and Tyler Zuber from Triple-A Jacksonville. In a corresponding move with the active roster, the Marlins placed RHP Josh Ekness on the 15-day Injured List with a right calf strain and sent RHP Josh White back to Triple-A Jacksonville after a rough debut on Sunday. To make room on the 40-man roster, both LHP Andrew Nardi and Griffin Conine were transferred to the 60-day IL. 

Owen Caissie went through May with a 255/.323/.455 slash line across 21 games, and is batting .324 with three doubles and three home runs over his last 16 games. His 29 RBI is second on the Marlins behind Liam Hicks, who matched his rookie total with 45 RBI.

Andrew Pintar has hit a home run in three consecutive games and was instrumental in Triple-A Jacksonville splitting the series with Charlotte. The Jumbo Shrimp enter their home series against Nashville this week in second place in the International League East with a 32-25 record. 

No. 10 prospect Dillon Lewis leads both Double-A Pensacola and the Southern League with 12 home runs. Coming off a 5-4 loss against Birmingham on Sunday, the Blue Wahoos (26-25) enter their home series against Chattanooga third in the Southern League South Division. 

No. 7 prospect Cam Cannarella and No. 12 prospect Brandon Compton hit back-to-back RBI singles in the third inning of High-A Beloit’s 7-4 win over Lake County on Sunday. The Sky Carp (24-26) sit in fourth place of the Midwest League West Division, leading up to a road series against Peoria this week. 

No. 11 prospect Andrew Salas hit his fifth double of the season in the top of the fourth inning of Single-A Jupiter’s 5-4 loss against Fort Myers on Sunday. The Hammerheads sit in second place in the Florida State League East Division with a 28-23 record, leading up to their home series against Bradenton this week. 

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