The Miami Marlins open a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Monday night at loanDepot Park. First pitch is set for 6:40 PM ET. Houston enters the series at 62-50, while Miami sits at 55-55 after sweeping the Yankees over the weekend.
This is the first meeting between the two clubs since Houston swept the Marlins in July. Houston is trying to rebound after getting swept by Boston. Miami has won five straight and is back at .500 for the first time since April.
MIA Preview – Marlins Look to Stay Hot at Home
The Marlins are 30-14 since June 13 and have won 10 of their last 12 series. They just completed a sweep of the Yankees, the first in team history against New York. Outfielder Kyle Stowers hit two home runs and drove in eight runs during the series.
Sandy Alcantara will start for Miami. The 2022 NL Cy Young winner has a 6.36 ERA this year but has looked better lately. He has allowed just one unearned run in his last two starts over 12 innings.
The Miami bullpen has also done well, with a team ERA of 3.14. Ronny Henriquez and Anthony Bender are among the arms keeping games close late. Marlins pitchers are holding opponents to a .249 average.
HOU Preview – Astros Aim to Snap Skid
The Astros were just swept by Boston and have dropped three in a row. Jason Alexander will start on Monday. He has a 7.36 ERA and allowed five earned runs in his last outing against Oakland.
Houston’s bullpen remains a strength. The relievers have a combined ERA of 3.13. Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader are key late-inning options, with Hader posting a 2.20 ERA over 49.2 innings.
Offensively, Houston is missing several key bats due to injury, including Yordan Alvarez and Brandon Rodgers. Carlos Correa has returned to the lineup and hit a home run in Sunday’s loss to Boston. Jesus Sanchez, acquired from Miami, will face his former team for the first time.
Betting Prediction
Miami enters the game as the favorite at -130 on the moneyline. The total is set at 8. Alcantara has looked better lately and the Marlins are riding strong momentum with five straight wins.
Houston has struggled to score, averaging just 1.7 runs per game over the Boston series. With Alcantara rounding into form and Miami swinging the bats well, the Marlins are the better pick to win and cover.
Pick: Marlins -1 (+120)
We are going to take a little of an odd bet here. We are not going to take the total -1.5, but will take the Marlins -1 at +120. We expect this to be a pretty good game, and taking Miami with Alcantara on the mound seems to be the right move.
