Somehow, someway the Astros managed to win a series over the weekend at Wrigley. But Houston will open this series with the Marlins tonight with a losing effort.
The Florida Marlins and Houston Astros square off on Tuesday for the first game of a three-game set in Texas.
The Marlins will send Chris Volstad to the bump with his 1-1 record and ERA of 3.46. Over his career he is 1-0 versus the Astros with an ERA of 4.97, but the team’s record is a perfect 2-0 when he takes the bump.
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Florida is 4-2 on the road this season and 5-4 versus right-handed starters. The Marlins average 6.3 runs per game when facing righties with a batting average of .298 and an OBP of .358. Florida is 26-15 on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 the last two seasons, 14-7 off an upset win over a division rival as an underdog the last 2 seasons, 12-3 after allowing two runs or less two straight games the last three seasons and 15-6 in road games after a win by two runs or less over the last two seasons.
Houston will send Brett Myers to the hill with his 6.00 ERA at home this season and 6-10 record versus Florida in his career with a 5.49 ERA in those contests.
The Astros are 3-9 overall this season including a record of 0-6 at home. They are also struggling versus right-handed starters going 2-6. When they face right-handed starters they are only averaging 2.2 runs per game with a batting average of .212 and an OBP of .234.
The Astros bullpen has really struggled with an ERA of 6.85 so far this season. Astros starter Brett Myers' teams are 0-6 (-9.3 Units) in home games over the last two seasons.
The Marlins are 44-29 since June 06, 2007 after a win in which they allowed six or fewer hits for a net profit of $2215. The Marlins are 43-36 since May 04, 2006 after a win in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent as a dog for a net profit of $1770. The Marlins are 35-22 since September 10, 2008 when they are off a win in which they never trailed for a net profit of $1720.
NL teams are 108-91 since June 20, 2005 on the road after shutting out their opponent and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $3955. NL clubs are 70-42 since August 30, 2009 when they are off two wins in which they never trailed for a net profit of $2670. National League squads are 23-33 since August 31, 2009 at home versus a team that has won at least their last two games and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $1705 when playing against them.
We will back the road team here as they grab a game one victory over the hapless Astros on Tuesday evening in Texas.
Projected Final Score: Florida-4 Houston-3
Free Pick: Marlins -115