Miami @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2014 ) Miami 2, Houston 0

The Miami Marlins looked as though they were fading away after dropping the first two games after the All-Star break to extend their losing streak to six. The young Marlins have picked themselves off the mat and will go for their sixth victory in seven contests when they visit the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Miami has gotten contributions from several different players on offense during the turnaround and its pitching staff has yielded two or fewer runs in four of the five victories.

Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has not homered in the last six games but has collected two hits in three of them, including Friday’s 2-0 victory over the Astros. Houston has lost three straight and 14 of 20 to drop to a season-worst 19 games under .500. Outfielders George Springer (quad) and Dexter Fowler (back) are out indefinitely while the major league’s leaders in hits Jose Altuve (142) boasts a seven-game hitting streak for the Astros.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET; FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (6-7, 3.85 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jarred Cosart (9-6, 4.23)

Koehler is winless in his last three starts, but has surrendered only four runs over 13 innings during the last two in which he did not factor in the decision. The Bronx, N.Y. native has notched just one victory in his last eight starts, but has held opponents to a .227 average overall in 2014. Koehler, who is 2-4 with a 4.92 ERA on the road, will face Houston for the first time in his career.

Cosart is 5-1 in his last seven starts, but has allowed 16 runs (14 earned) over 15 2/3 innings while going 1-1 in the last three turns. The 24-year-old Texan yielded only two homers in his last 13 starts after opponents went deep five times in the first six. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is 2-for-2 with a double versus Cosart, who will make his first-ever start against the Marlins.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins RHP Steve Cishek allowed only one hit in his last six outings with five saves after blowing his third of the season on July 9 at Arizona.

2. Houston 1B-DH Chris Carter has reached base in 15 of the last 16 games, going 20-for-59 with seven homers and 15 RBIs.

3. Miami INF Jeff Baker has hit safely in 10 straight contests, including four games in which he went 1-for-1.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Astros 3