HOUSTON ASTROS NOTES:
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Astros look to even up their three-game series with the Marlins tonight in Miami behind RHP Cristian Javier, who’s pitching against the Marlins for the first time in his career…he’ll be opposed by veteran RHP Johnny Cueto, who dominated the Astros in his two starts against them last season, going 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA (1ER/15IP) as a member of the White Sox.
ABOUT JAVIER:RHP Cristian Javier is coming off a 5.0-inning start his last time out, in which he allowed two runs on four hits last Wednesday at BAL…Javier has allowed three earned runs or less in five straight starts, posting a 4.44 ERA (13ER/26.1IP) in that span…prior to this run, Javier had a run of three starts in which he allowed 21 earned runs in 15.2 innings…overall, Javier is having a solid season, pitching the Astros to a 15-7 record in his 22 starts.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros are back on the road for a quick three-game road trip to Miami…this bodes well for Houston, as they’ve gone 35-26 (.574) on the road this season, which ranks second in the AL and third in the Majors.
Best Road Record in Majors
T1. Atlanta: 38-22 (.633)
T1. Baltimore: 38-22 (.633)
- Houston: 35-26 (.574)
UP TO THE CHALLENGE: The Astros are 12-8 thus far while in the midst of a month-long stretch of games (July 24-Aug. 24) in which seven of their nine scheduled opponents are currently at .500 or better…in this stretch, the Astros will see the Rangers (2-1), Rays (1-2), Guardians (3-0), Yankees (2-2), Orioles (2-1), Angels (2-1), Marlins (0-1), Mariners and Red Sox.
CONGRATS YULI!: The Astros will present 1B Yuli Gurriel with his 2022 World Series Championship ring today…Gurriel played his first seven Major League seasons (2016-22) in Houston, appearing in 801 career regular season games for the fran- chise…the two-time World Series champion also played in 85 postseason games, which ranks third in club history, trailing only 2B Jose Altuve (92g) and 3B Alex Bregman (86g).
VS. THE FISH: This is the Astros and Marlins only matchup of the 2023 season…the Astros faced the Marlins in 2022 at Minute Maid Park, losing the series, two games to one…this series is the Astros first time to Miami since 2017 when they swept the Marlins in a three-game series.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Astros were plagued by bad luck and late homers in a 5-1 loss in Miami last night…the offense outhit the Marlins, 8-7, but couldn’t capitalize, going 2×12 with runners in scoring position…2B Jose Altuve (3×4, RBI) led the offense, while LF Chas McCormick (2×4) and SS Jeremy Peña (2×4) tacked on a pair of hits each…LHP Framber Valdez (3ER/7.2IP) started for Houston and had a strong outing before allowing two runs in the 8th, both coming on solo homers.
BRANTLEY BEGINS REHAB: OF Michael Brantley will begin a rehab assignment with Triple A Sugar Land tonight, as they host Round Rock at Constellation Field…Brantley has been working his way back from right shoulder surgery, which has held him out of Major League game action for the entirety of the season.
2K JOSE: 2B Jose Altuve enters tonight with 1,996 career hits, needing just four hits to become the third player in franchise history to reach 2,000 career hits…he would join 2B Craig Biggio (3,060) and 1B Jeff Bagwell (2,314) on that franchise list…per Elias, the Astros have had five players reach 2,000 career hits while playing for the Astros: OF José Cruz (1985), Biggio (2001), Bagwell (2003), SS Miguel Tejada (2009) and OF Carlos Lee (2011).
TUVE-METER: In addition to closing in on 2,000 career hits, 2B Jose Altuve is also just eight doubles shy of 200 and nine stolen bases shy of 300 for his career…on the club’s last road trip, Altuve (724 RBI) surpassed Jimmy Wynn (719 RBI) for seventh-place in club history in RBI and connected for his 200th career home run.
BIG RETURNS: On July 26, the Astros reinstated 2B Jose Altuve and LF Yordan Alvarez from the IL…since that date, the Astros offense has posted a .794 OPS and is scoring 5.7 runs per game…a few notes on both of their returns:
- Altuve has hit safely in 15 of his 17 games since being activated, hitting .426 (29×68) with 18 runs scored, five doubles, three homers, 10 RBI, seven steals and an 1.174 OPS.
- Alvarez has hit safely in 13 of his 17 games since being activated, hitting .266 (17×64) with two doubles, four home runs, nine RBI, 11 runs scored and an .841 OPS over that stretch.
ALL AROUND TUCK: RF Kyle Tucker should finish in the top three in MVP voting, as he currently ranks second in the AL in RBI (88), third in OPS (.890) and fourth in slugging (.514)… he’s also one of just three players in the Majors with 22-ormore home runs and stolen bases, joining NL MVP candidate Ronald Acuña Jr. (26 HR, 55 SB) and SS Bobby Witt Jr. (22 HR, 34 SB)…defensively, Tucker, the reigning AL Gold Glove winner, has more starts (114) than any other AL player in right field, and has committed just one error in his 229 total chances.
LOPERFIDO PROMOTED: OF Joey Loperfido, the Astros No. 6 prospect, has been promoted to Triple A Sugar Land…Loperfido, the Astros seventh-round pick in 2021, has ad a strong season at Class A Asheville (8g) and at Double A Corpus Christi (84g), combining to hit .293 (102×348) with 22 doubles, 20 homers, 62 RBI, 23 steals and a .929 OPS in 92 games.
HAMILTON UNDERGOES SURGERY: Astros prospect OF Quincy Hamilton underwent bilateral core muscle surgery today… Hamilton, who was playing at Triple A Sugar Land, is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks.
TONIGHT’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP CRISTIAN JAVIER
LAST START – 8/9 AT BAL: allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts in 5.0 innings…allowed both of his runs on a 2-run home run by BAL LF Austin Hays…earned his first win since June 3 vs. LAA.
AGAINST THE FISH: is making his first career start against the Marlins…for his career in Interleague play, he’s recorded a 4.31 ERA (41ER/85.2IP) with 89 strikeouts and a .232 opponent batting average in 21 appearances including 14 starts.
BACK ON TRACK: went on a tough 3-start stretch from 6/21-7/3, in which he logged a 15.19 ERA (18ER/10.2IP)…outside of those 3 starts, he’s recorded a 3.43 ERA (40ER/105.1IP) on the year.
EL REPTIL: The Dominican hurler has made 22 starts in 2023…the Astros have gone 15-7 in his 22 starts this season and are 21-7 in Javier’s last 28 starts dating back to Aug. 31, 2022…in those 28 starts, he’s recorded a 3.64 ERA (61ER/151IP) with 154 strikeouts, a 1.11 WHIP and a .211 opponent batting average.
LEAGUE LEADERBOARD: has pitched primarily as a starter over the last 2 seasons for the Astros (2022-23)…among qualifying AL pitchers over that span, ranks 3rd in opponent average (.198), 6th in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (10.27), 9th in WHIP (1.07), 9th in strikeouts (304) and T-10th in wins (19).
INVISIBALL: has held opponents to a .194 average (294×1517) throughout his MLB career… it’s the lowest opponent’s batting average among qualified MLB pitchers since entering the league in 2020…the next-closest players are RHP Corbin Burnes (.196) and RHP Shohei Ohtani (.200).
HOME SWEET HOME: has recorded a 3.19 ERA (17ER/48IP) at Minute Maid Park this season, compared to a 5.29 ERA (38ER/64.2IP) on the road…has fared better at Minute Maid Park throughout his career, logging a 2.67 career ERA (63ER/212IP) at MMP, compared to a 4.17 ERA (95ER/205IP) on the road…it is the 2nd-lowest home ERA among qualified AL pitchers since his debut in 2020, trailing only RHP Shohei Ohtani (2.22 ERA).
MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today continue their final series of the homestand and of Interleague play this season, with the second of three games against the Astros. Miami is coming off a weekend series victory (2-1) against the Yankees. Following this ‘stand, will head to the West Coast for an off day on Thursday before playing three at the Dodgers and three at the Padres.
HOMEBOYS The Marlins are 37-25 at loanDepot park this season. The .597 home winning pct. is the 3rd-highest in the NL (6th in MLB), while the 37 wins are the 3rd-most by any National League team behind the Braves and Dodgers (38).
- Entered the second half 30-18 at home. Have gone 7-7 in 14 games at loanDepot park since the Break.
FISH BYTES
- Miami ranks 2nd in the NL with 1,068 hits (4th in MLB behind Texas, Atlanta, and Toronto), and ranks 4th in the Majors in batting average (.262), behind Boston, Atlanta, and Texas.
- The Marlins own 48 games in which the offense has collected 10+ hits. Is the 4th-most 10+ hit efforts in MLB behind Texas (55), Atlanta (52), and St. Louis (49). In 2022, the Marlins collected 10+ hits just 43 times.
- The Marlins pitching staff leads the National League with 1,135 strikeouts (2nd most in Majors behind MIN-1,146).
INTER-MIAMI
The Marlins have gone 26-16 in Interleague play thus far in 2023, marking the most Interleague wins in MLB. Their .619 winning pct. in Interleague games is the 3rd best in MLB, behind the Reds (.630), and Blue Jays (.657). Heading into this season, the Marlins owned a 103-148 record in Interleague play dating back to 2012, which ranked as the worst in MLB.
TALKIN’ SPACE
The Marlins are welcoming the reigning World Series champion Astros to Miami for the first time since May 15-17, 2017 when Houston took all 3 games. Have gone 81-83 all time against the Astros, including a 49-33 clip at home. The Marlins took their three-game set in Houston last season, 2-1.
- 1B Yuli Gurriel spent 7 years with the Astros, winning two World Series in 2017 and 2022. Gurriel hit .284 in his career with Houston, including a .319 mark in 2021 when he won the American League batting title.
- Astros Manager Dusty Baker will present Gurriel with his 2022 World Series ring prior to today’s game, following the performance of the National Anthem.
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami took the series opener over Houston, 5-1. LHP Braxton Garrett shut down the Astros offense, holding them to just 4 hits and 2 walks, with no runs. C Nick Fortes and SS Jon Berti each doubled in the 3rd inning, with Berti stealing a bag and advancing on a passed ball to give the Marlins an early lead. RF Jorge Soler, 2B Luis Arraez, and DH Josh Bell roped back-to-back-to-back solo homers in the 8th inning to add extra insurance for the Marlins 5th win in their last 6 games.
UNO, DOS, TRES!
RF Jorge Soler, 2B Luis Arraez, and DH Josh Bell hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the 8th inning last night vs. Houston, marking the second such occurrence in franchise history. The only other time was courtesy of Derrek Lee, Cliff Floyd, and Kevin Orie on Aug. 26, 1998 at St. Louis in the 9th inning. Miami trailed 6-0 entering that inning, tied it up to send the game to extras, and won in 10 innings, 7-6.
- The Marlins’ 3 home runs in the 8th inning marked their most in an inning this year, and the 6th time Miami has hit at least 3 home runs in a game. The Marlins are 5-1 in such games this year.
- Miami had just 1 set of back-to-back homers this season prior to last night’s game (Josh Bell and Jazz Chisholm Jr. on Aug. 2 vs. PHI).
RING THE BELL
1B Josh Bell has reached base safely in all 12 games since joining the Marlins. His 12-game on-base streak since joining the club is the second longest by a Marlins’ mid-season acquisition behind only Gary Sheffield (13 G, 1993) – Elias Sports Bureau.
- Is slashing .326/.404/.696 with 5 home runs, 10 RBI, 6 walks, and a 1.100 in the 12-game span.
- His 5 home runs in his first 12 games as a Marlin are tied for the second most in club history with Hee-Seop Choi in 2004 and Charles Johnson in 2001. Trails only Derrek Lee, with 6 in 1998.
LEFTY LOVE
C Nick Fortes is hitting .389 with a 1.034 OPS against LHP this season, the 2nd-highest AVG in MLB with (min. 50 ABs) against lefties. On the contrary, is hitting just .169 with a .445 OPS against RHP.
- Over his last 13 G, is batting .323 with 6 runs, 3 doubles, 1 homer, 2 RBI, and a .898 OPS.
LA REGADERA
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .366 AVG (163×445) and 163 hits. Marks the highest AVG and the most hits by a Marlin through his first 114 games of a season.
- His 45 multi-hit games are 3rd-most in MLB. Is tied for 1st in MLB with 17 games of at least 3 hits. Owns 6 games with at least 4 hits this year, most in the Majors and most by a Marlins player in a single season.
- Is hitting .460 (40×87) with RISP, also the best mark among qualifiers. The Marlins record for average with RISP (min. 100 ABs) is held by Miguel Cabrera’s .378 mark in 2006.
SOLER POWER
DH/OF Jorge Soler is tied for 5th in the National League (T-8th in MLB) with 29 home runs. Soler has a league-leading 13 home runs off left-handed pitchers, posting a .304 AVG and 1.165 OPS.
- Is looking to become the 13th player in franchise history to reach the 30-homer plateau in a season, first since Stanton and Ozuna in 2017.
- In 946 career ABs post-ASB, Soler has 69 HR (13.7 AB/HR). In 1,849 ABs pre-ASB, Soler has 86 career HR (21.5 AB/HR).
FALSE STARTS
Miami is now 15-24 in the first game of a series in 2023, after dropping 11 of the last 14 such contests. Have gone a combined 45-30 in games two and three.
ON DECK
Of Miami’s remaining 42 games, 23 are against teams currently in playoff position (55%).
TODAY’S STARTER – #47 JOHNNY CUETO
- Johnny Cueto, 37, will make his sixth start (seventh app.) of the season today. Marks his 16th career start against the Houston Astros.
- In 2 Interleague starts (3 apps.) this season, has gone 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA (10.0/8) and 6 strikeouts.
- Last faced Houston on Aug. 15, 2022 at Guaranteed Rate Field (w/ White Sox). Earned the win, tossing 8.0 innings and allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits and 1 walk with 3 strikeouts.
- In his most recent start, on Aug. 9 at Cincinnati, allowed 3 runs on 5 hits (2 home runs) and 1 walk over 5.0 innings. Struck out 5.
- In 4 starts (5 apps.) since returning from the IL, has gone 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA (26.0/12) with 23 strikeouts. Has held batters to a .187 AVG (17×91).
- Missed 87 games from April 4 – July 10 on the Injured List with right biceps tightness. Suffered a setback on May 6 with a right ankle sprain.
- His 143 career wins rank 6th among active MLB pitchers. Also ranks 6th among active MLB pitchers with 358 games started (behind Adam Wainwright – 405).
- Career, RHB vs. Cueto: .246 AVG (1072×4361), .301 OBP, .693 OPS. LHB vs. Cueto: .246 AVG (977×3979), .312 OBP, .706 OPS.
