The Houston Astros and the Miami Marlins meet Monday in MLB action from Marlins Park. The Astros just finished up a weekend series versus the Angels. After wins in the first pair, in the Sunday finale Houston lost by a single run. As for Miami, they’re fresh off a matchup versus the Yankees. The Marlins split the first two matchups in that set, then in the Sunday rubber match Miami took a wild comeback victory and won the series. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Houston Astros 

The Astros didn’t have a ton of trouble with the Angels over the first two games of their weekend series, winning 11-3 in both installments. Houston’s Kyle Tucker finished with three hits, four RBI and a homer in the Saturday victory. In the Sunday finale the Astros out-hit the Angels 7-4 but still lost 2-1. Jon Singleton had two walks and scored the lone run.

For the starter job on Monday the Astros will send out Framber Valdez. This year Valdez is 9-7 with a 3.30 ERA and 144 strikeouts over 142.0 innings. Valdez is 2-2 in his last seven starts with a 5.65 ERA. 

Houston Astros Team Facts

• The Astros have won each of their last nine road games following a loss.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last nine games against National League opponents after playing the previous day.
• The Astros have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last five games as road favorites.
• The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games as road favorites.
• The Astros have lost the first inning in four of their last six games as road favorites.

Miami Marlins 

Over on the Marlins’ side, they took a 9-4 loss to the Yankees in their Friday opener before bouncing back for a 3-1 win in game two. Luis Arraez bagged a two-run homer on the way to the Saturday win. In the Sunday finale Miami got a game-tying two-run triple from Luis Arraez in the bottom of the ninth on the way to a comeback win 8-7. The Marlins were down 7-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth. 

It’ll be Braxton Garrett in the starting role for the Marlins on Monday. Across his 23 games (22 starts) Garrett is 6-3 with a 4.08 ERA and 125 Ks in 117.0 innings. Garrett has gone 2-1 with a 5.35 ERA in his last seven starts, posting 21 earned in 35.1 innings. 

Miami Marlins Team Facts

• The road team has won nine of the last 10 games between the Astros and Marlins.
• The Marlins have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight night games following a win.
• The Marlins have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last five night games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Marlins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five night games.
• The Marlins have won the first inning in each of their last four games as home underdogs against AL West opponents.

Miami Marlins Player Prop Facts

• Luis Arraez ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.367) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Miami Marlins ranks 2nd in the league for strikeouts this season (1133).
• The Miami Marlins ranks 28th in the league for home runs this season (111).
• The Houston Astros ranks T28th in the league for triples this season (9).
• The Houston Astros ranks 3rd in the league for ERA this season (3.77).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I might take a stab on the Marlins in this one. Miami should get a quality outing from Garrett, who has been pitching well lately. Over his last three starts combined Garrett is 1-0 with 17.0 innings, five earned, 17 hits and three walks to his credit. If he can keep the Astros hitters at bay early, the Marlins should have a decent shot. On Sunday Miami posted a miracle comeback with six runs in the final two frames. It was a successful series for the Marlins, and I like them to keep it up with another upset win on Monday.