Marlins a different team since last meeting with Nats

MIAMI -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg saw several new faces in the opposing dugout as he prepared for his start at Marlins Park on Friday night. Miami has added five key bats and three new starting pitchers since playing Washington twice in April.

Logan Morrison, Marcell Ozuna, Derek Dietrich and Ed Lucas help anchor a Marlins lineup stronger than the one shut out by Strasburg in seven innings on Opening Day. Backup catcher Jeff Mathis has also delivered several clutch hits.

Nathan Eovaldi toed the rubber opposite Strasburg on Friday, and Henderson Alvarez will take on the Nationals in Sunday's series finale. Jacob Turner, who leads Miami with a 2.33 ERA, will get his first crack at Washington at a later date.

The Nationals took five of six from the Marlins in April, but taking down Miami this weekend will prove tougher.

The Marlins have been one of the best teams in the Majors since May 31, earning series wins against the Braves, Cardinals, Giants and Padres.

"We've got a lot of our guys back and healthy," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "We do have a different look, and obviously, we're playing much better than we were the first two months of the season, so it will be interesting."