Marlins Need Janson Junk to Be More Consistent to Sweep Nationals

The Fish need the veteran to do work if they want to sweep their division rivals.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Janson Junk. Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Miami Marlins took the second game of their three game set against their National League East division foe Washington Nationals on Saturday. The Fish are going for the sweep on Sunday when they will send veteran Janson Junk to the hill to win their third straight and sweep their rivals.

But Junk is one of those starters for the Fish that has not shown enough consistency this season like the 1A and the 1B of the rotation — Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez.

Manager Clayton McCullough really needs Junk to go out there and shove and get outs and find a way to get the win.

Junk's last time out was an appearance on Aug. 17. at the Philadelphia Phillies where he completed five innings allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out two batters and walking two batters. Junk's ERA in the month of August is 3.21 which is not awful but could be better.

If Miami wants to sweep the Nationals and keep pace in the playoff race, Junk is going to have to go out there and be the pitcher he knows he can be. He is going to have to go out there and get quick outs and keep the opposition off the scoreboard.

It would be huge if Junk could provide consistency in the Marlins rotation

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara. Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It is no secret that the Fish are searching for answers in their starting rotation. The Marlins current rotation consists of Alcantara, Perez, Janson Junk, Ryan Gusto, and then other fillers in the organization.

The Marlins also have one of their most consistent starters in the rotation in Max Meyer on the injured list and it's been a lengthy stay. And the Marlins are still alive in the wild card playoff race in the National League.

A lot of these games that the Fish are playing to close out August and going into September are huge games and are ones that they cannot afford to drop. But the Marlins are a team that are not exactly a big playoff contender even though the National League is wide open this season.

The Fish are a team that is up and coming so they are testing out a lot of different pitching arms and rotating guys back and forth between the majors and Triple-A. But the Marlins do need Junk to be more consistent especially with Meyer on the shelf.