The Washington Nationals are playing some of their best baseball of the season -- a fact the Miami Marlins know all too well.

After getting swept by the Nationals last week, the Marlins will play host to Washington for four games this week, beginning with Monday's affair.

The Nationals (58-84) have won five of their last six games, including a three-game sweep against the Marlins from Monday to Wednesday of last week. Washington won those three games by the combined margin of 17-7 -- and then the team moved on to Chicago, where it took two of three from the Cubs.

Sunday's 6-3 victory was among the team's best wins of the season, as Washington scored five runs in the ninth inning, highlighted by Josh Bell's go-ahead three-run homer.

"I had a good game plan," Bell said. "I thought he was

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