The NL East rivals Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins will do battle at Nationals Park for the middle-game of a three game set tonight. The Nats won last night's match-up 6-4 but had been swept over three games at Miami earlier in the season. Washington may have picked up pace after a slow start to the season but I think they're too big of a favorite in tonight's game. Miami should be able to keep this a close one and I'm backing the visitors on the run-line.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Mat Latos (0-3, 6.86 ERA) will toe the slab for Miami who has won each of his last two starts. The 27 year old right-hander conceded just two runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings when the Marlins defeated the Nats 3-2 home in Miami on April 24 and he's 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA in eight career starts against Washington. The Nats will counter with Stephen Strasburg (2-2, 4.60 ERA) who was hit rather hard in an 8-0 loss at Miami on April 25 when he surrendered four runs on eight hits over six innings of work. He has a 1.57 WHIP over five starts this season and will be put to the test from a Miami team who's .270 batting average ranks fifth in baseball on the year.

2. Upset Warning - The Nats are only 1-5 in Strasburg's last six starts as a home favorite of -151 to -200 while the Fish are 5-1 in their last six coming in as an underdog.

3. X-Factor - Mat Latos has the Nats current roster limited to a .233 batting average and big-hitters Dan Uggla and Jayson Worth are just a combined 3-for-31 against him.

Selection: This is a play on the Miami Marlins +1.5 (8*)