Houston @ Florida preview
Sun Life Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 8, 2011 ) Houston 3, Florida 6
THE STORY: The Houston Astros have helped the Florida Marlins rediscover their winning ways. And at home, even. The Marlins have taken the first two games of their four-game set with the Astros at home, where their 19-26 record is the third-worst in the majors, and they'll try to keep it going with their fourth consecutive victory Saturday.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Houston, FS Florida
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brett Myers (3-8, 4.67 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (5-5, 3.91).
Myers is coming off a loss to the Pirates on Monday in which he allowed five runs (four earned) and a season-high 13 hits over six innings. He has lost four of his last five decisions. In 33 games (25 starts) against the Marlins, Myers is 6-11 with a 5.62 ERA. Nolasco has lost four of his last five starts despite three straight quality starts. He followed up a five-hit shutout of Oakland on June 29 with another solid effort Monday against the Phillies, allowing only one run over seven innings but taking the loss in a 1-0 game. Nolasco is 4-1 with a 5.35 ERA in six game (five starts) against Houston. He beat the Astros on April 8, holding them to two runs over eight innings in a 4-3 victory.
ABOUT THE ASTROS (30-60): The Astros' major league-worst record took another hit with a 6-3 loss Friday, Houston's eighth in nine games and 12th in its last 14. The Astros have scored three or fewer runs in nine of those 14 games. Despite hitting .262 during that stretch - two points above their overall season average - the Astros have averaged 3.6 runs over the same period.
ABOUT THE MARLINS (41-48): The Marlins have won three straight for the first time since sweeping a three-game set at San Francisco from May 24-26, and the most recent win moved them above .500 (9-8) since interim manager Jack McKeon took over June 20. Red-hot Hanley Ramirez, who was 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs on Friday, should be able to keep Florida's offense clicking. Ramirez is 11-for-31 (.355) with a homer against Myers.
FINAL PITCH: Ramirez was hitting .200 after McKeon's first game at the helm June 20. In 16 games since, he is 24-for-60 (.400) with four home runs and 18 RBIs. He had four homers and 17 RBIs in his first 55 games.