Miami @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 21, 2014 ) Miami 7, Houston 2

The Miami Marlins and Houston Astros have experienced plenty of losing the past three seasons, but both franchises are showing signs of shaking off their recent struggles. The Astros host the Marlins in the opener of a three-game series Friday, featuring two teams that have lost at least 90 games per season since 2011, but Houston is 30-34 after a 12-26 start while Miami is only five games below .500 and 6 ½ games out of a National League wild-card spot. Houston looks for Dallas Keuchel to steady a pitching staff that has surrendered 31 runs in the past four games, 22 coming in consecutive defeats at Oakland on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Marlins won three times in a four-game series at Atlanta despite leading hitter Casey McGehee struggling. The Miami third baseman went 1-for-15 against the Braves to drop his average 10 points to .312 and is hitless in his past three games, his longest hitless streak of the season. Houston lost 111 games in 2013, its third consecutive season of 100-plus losses, while the Marlins dropped 100 last year and have averaged 94.3 defeats per season since 2011.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Brad Hand (1-2, 4.86 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (9-6, 3.29)

Hand has been effective since sliding back into the starting rotation at the start of July, posting a 3.22 ERA in four starts and getting his first victory of the season Sunday against San Francisco. He allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings against the Giants, and has not surrendered more than three earned runs in his past four starts. Hand, who makes his seventh start of the season, posted a 4.58 ERA in 14 relief appearances.

Keuchel was 8-3 with a 2.38 ERA in mid-June, but has struggled in going 1-3 in his past five starts. He gave up four runs (three earned) on 12 hits in five innings Saturday against the White Sox, and has posted a 6.07 ERA with 48 hits allowed in 29 2/3 innings during his past five outings. Opponents are hitting .387 against Keuchel since June 12 with a .947 OPS.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros, who are 21-28 at home, open a 10-game homestand – their longest of the season – during which they will face Miami, Oakland and Toronto.

2. Miami closer Steve Cishek has converted six of his past eight save opportunities, and has a save in each of the Marlins’ past four victories.

3. Houston DH Chris Carter homered in Thursday’s 13-1 loss, and is hitting .345 with seven homers in 15 games since July 3.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Marlins 3