Expect a tightly contested start as Cristian Javier and Jesús Luzardo trade zeroes through the first inning. Houston cracks the seal in the 2nd when Kyle Tucker pulls a hanging slider into the right-field corner, plating Alex Bregman from first. Miami answers in the 4th on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s opposite-field solo shot, but Javier strands two to preserve the tie. The game swings in the 6th. Luzardo’s pitch count climbs past 90, and Yordan Alvarez punishes a misplaced fastball for a two-run blast into the Crawford Boxes, giving Houston a 3-1 edge. The Astros’ deep bullpen—Héctor Neris, Bryan Abreu, and Ryan Pressly all fresh after an off-day—locks down the late frames. Miami scratches one back in the 7th when Luis Arraez singles, advances on a steal, and scores on Jake Burger’s line-drive double, but Abreu fans back-to-back hitters to limit the damage. In the 8th, José Altuve’s leadoff double sets up an insurance run on Bregman’s sac fly, stretching the lead to 4-2. Pressly faces the heart of the Marlins order in the 9th and records two strikeouts around a weak grounder, sealing Houston’s fifth win in the last six head-to-head matchups. The Astros’ superior bullpen depth and middle-order thump prove decisive, while Miami’s ongoing defensive lapses (league-worst −34 DRS) and a thin relief corps again undermine a solid Luzardo outing.

Probable Pitchers

E. Pérez Marlins

3-6 4.60 ERA

72 K

H. Brown Astros

None-None 0.84 ERA

None K

Miami Marlins — Roster

Player	Pos	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Cam Cannarella	CF	.333	0	0	.333	.667
Carter Johnson	2B	.167	0	0	.286	.333
Emilio Barreras	SS	.000	0	0	.000	.000
Fenwick Trimble	RF	.000	0	0	.143	.000
Eric Rataczak	DH	.333	0	0	.333	.333
Connor Caskenette	C	.000	0	0	.000	.000
Dillon Lewis	LF	.267	1	4	.389	.533
Nathan Martorella	1B	.111	0	1	.333	.111
Juan Matheus	3B	.000	0	1	.250	.000

Houston Astros — Roster

Player	Pos	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Taylor Trammell	LF	.257	1	7	.381	.457
Cavan Biggio	DH	.250	0	2	.400	.250
Shay Whitcomb	3B	.263	0	4	.333	.316
Chase Call	RF	.250	0	0	.333	.250
Brice Matthews	2B	.257	1	10	.395	.429
Josh Wakefield	CF	.333	0	1	.455	.444
Riley Unroe	1B	.296	0	5	.500	.333
Jax Biggers	SS	.087	0	3	.364	.087
Christian Vázquez	C	.143	0	1	.333	.143

Scoring Plays

▲ 2

Liam Hicks singles on a ground ball to right fielder Joey Loperfido. Kyle Stowers scores.

1-0

▲ 2

Nathan Martorella singles on a line drive to right fielder Joey Loperfido. Liam Hicks scores. Connor Norby to 3rd.

2-0

▲ 2

Juan Matheus grounds out to pitcher Hunter Brown. Connor Norby scores. Nathan Martorella to 2nd.

3-0

▼ 3

Jose Altuve singles on a line drive to left fielder Connor Norby. César Salazar scores.

3-1

▼ 3

Joey Loperfido grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Xavier Edwards. Yordan Alvarez scores. Carlos Correa out at 2nd. Joey Loperfido to 1st.

3-2

▼ 6

Carlos Pérez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Dillon Lewis. Shay Whitcomb scores. Chase Call scores. Jake Meyers to 2nd.

3-4

▲ 7

Dillon Lewis hits a grand slam (1) to left field. Carter Johnson scores. Fenwick Trimble scores. Eric Rataczak scores.

7-4

Miami Marlins — Batting

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
Cam CannarellaCF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333	1.000
Carter Johnson2B	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	.167	.619
Emilio BarrerasSS	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.000
Fenwick TrimbleRF	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.143
Eric RataczakDH	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.333	.666
Connor CaskenetteC	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.000
Dillon LewisLF	1	1	1	4	0	0	1	.267	.922
Nathan Martorella1B	3	0	1	1	1	1	0	.111	.444
Juan Matheus3B	2	0	0	1	2	1	0	.000	.250
Totals	32	7	6	7	8	11	1

BATTING

2B: Stowers (1, Brown, H).

HR: Lewis (1, 7th inning off VanWey, 3 on, 2 out).

TB: Hicks, L; Lewis 4; Martorella; Rataczak; Stowers 3.

RBI: Hicks, L (2); Lewis 4 (4); Martorella (1); Matheus (1).

2-out RBI: Lewis 4.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Marsee 3; Hicks, L.

Team RISP: 4-for-12.

Team LOB: 7.

BASERUNNING

SB: Hernández, H (4, 2nd base off Abreu, B/Vázquez, C).

PO: Matheus (1st base by De Los Santos, E).

FIELDING

PB: Caskenette (1).

a-Singled for Hernández, H in the 7th.

Houston Astros — Batting

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OPS
Taylor TrammellLF	2	0	1	0	0	0	.257	.838
Cavan BiggioDH	2	0	0	0	0	1	.250	.650
Shay Whitcomb3B	2	1	0	0	0	1	.263	.649
Chase CallRF	2	1	0	0	0	0	.250	.583
Brice Matthews2B	2	0	0	0	2	1	.257	.824
Josh WakefieldCF	0	0	0	0	1	0	.333	.899
Riley Unroe1B	1	0	1	0	0	0	.296	.833
Jax BiggersSS	1	0	0	0	0	0	.087	.451
Christian VázquezC	2	0	0	0	0	1	.143	.476
Totals	36	4	9	4	4	9

BATTING

2B: Salazar (1, Pérez, Eu).

TB: Altuve; Correa; Loperfido, J 2; Meyers; Pérez, C; Salazar 2; Trammell; Unroe.

RBI: Altuve (2); Loperfido, J (6); Pérez, C 2 (4).

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Matthews; Vázquez, C 3; Call; Allen, N.

Team RISP: 4-for-16.

Team LOB: 9.

BASERUNNING

SB: Matthews (8, 2nd base off Petersen/Caskenette).

FIELDING

Pickoffs: De Los Santos, E (Matheus at 1st base).

a-Struck out for Alvarez, Y in the 7th.

1-Ran for Correa in the 6th.

2-Ran for Loperfido, J in the 6th.

3-Ran for Pérez, C in the 6th.

Miami Marlins — Pitching

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	PC-ST	ERA
Eury Pérez	5.0	4	2	2	1	5	81-52	5.52
Cade Gibson(BS, 2)	0.2	3	2	2	1	1	31-19	6.48
Dale Stanavich(W, 1-0)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	1-1	18.00
Lake Bachar(H, 2)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	17-10	2.35
Michael Petersen(H, 5)	1.0	1	0	0	2	1	29-15	3.12
Stephen Jones(S, 3)	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	21-14	0.00

Houston Astros — Pitching

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Hunter Brown	4.0	4	3	3	3	6	0	83-52	2.84
Amilcar Chirinos	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0	9-5	0.00
Bryan King	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2-1	5.40
Bryan Abreu	1.0	0	0	0	3	1	0	27-13	3.86
Logan VanWey(L, 0-3)(BS, 2)	1.0	2	4	4	1	2	1	31-16	8.00
Enyel De Los Santos	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	11-6	0.00
Christian Roa	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	17-12	0.93

Game Info

Umpires: Home Plate: Mitch Trzeciak; First Base: Ron Kulpa; Second Base: Edwin Moscoso

Venue: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach

Weather: 75°F, Partly Cloudy

Wind: 15 mph, In From CF

Miami Marlins — News

Marlins Sign Zach Pop To Minor League Deal

Pop exits Philadelphia's organization after posting a 3.68 xwOBA in seven appearances, signaling the Phillies didn't see him as rotation depth despite the winter signing. Miami (34-35, W5) adds bullpen depth to a rotation anchored by Max Meyer (2.85 ERA, 6-0) but lacking proven relievers.

Max Meyer

Zach Pop

Philadelphia Phillies

Miami Marlins

Last Night In Baseball: Cubs Avoid Falling Below .500

Cubs (35-34) improved to 3-7 in their last 10 games with the win, while Marlins extended their streak to 5 consecutive victories on a 23-16 home record despite sitting fourth in the NL East.

Miami Marlins

Chicago Cubs

Marlins prospect Thomas White out 3-4 months with shoulder capsular sprain

White's injury timeline threatens the remainder of the 2026 season for Miami's top pitching prospect. The Marlins rotation is already anchored by Meyer (2.81 ERA, 6-0) with limited depth behind him in the upper minors.

Miami Marlins

Cardinals Return Rule 5 Pick Matt Pushard To Marlins

Pushard never threw an inning for St. Louis (27.00 ERA in 0 IP), landing on IL almost immediately after the Rule 5 selection. The move has minimal rotation impact for either team given Miami's current 5-man group anchored by Meyer (2.97 ERA, 74 SO).

Matt Pushard

St. Louis Cardinals

Miami Marlins

Hernandez: 2 HR, 3 RBI in Marlins win over Nationals

Hernandez's two-homer night snapped Miami's 4-game skid and gave the Marlins their first win in five games at home (18-15). Washington's pitching has given up 330 runs this season (worst in NL East), making their 31-30 record surprisingly resilient given the 0.508 win% profile.

Miami Marlins

Washington Nationals

Houston Astros — News

Astros Designate Ryan Weiss For Assignment

Weiss logged 0 IP with a 6.65 ERA, making this a depth chart pruning for a Houston rotation already dealing with Houston's 31-39 record and -38 run differential.

Ryan Weiss

Houston Astros

Astros Exploring Outfield And Bullpen Upgrades

Houston sits 31-39 with a -38 run differential, four games from a Wild Card spot, but upgrading around Yordan Alvarez (.316 AVG, .489 OBP, 22 HR) and Jeremy Peña signals GM Dana Brown still believes in competing rather than sellers' deadline positioning.

Yordan Alvarez

Jeremy Peña

Houston Astros

Yordan Alvarez In MVP Contention With .316 AVG, 22 HR Through 69 Games

Alvarez's .489 OBP and .636 SLG (1.125 OPS) put him on pace for a triple crown; his xwOBA of .489 suggests the production is legitimate. Houston sits 31-39 with a -38 run differential, meaning individual brilliance won't offset the team's 4th-place standing in the MVP voting calculus.

Yordan Alvarez

Houston Astros

Astros select Raynel Delgado from minor league trade with Rays

Delgado arrives as Houston adds depth to an infield while sitting 31-39 with a -38 run differential, but his promotion does not address the rotation issues that have allowed 353 runs this season.

Tampa Bay Rays

Houston Astros

MLB Over-35 Hitters Face Steepest Production Drop-Off in Decades

Age-related decline in MLB hitting has accelerated beyond historical norms, but current roster construction shows teams still value veteran bats: Angels have Mancini (.070 AVG in limited action), Rangers deal Martin Jr. to Rockies at 31, and Astros explicitly refuse to trade 31-year-old Alvarez despite his continued elite production (.316 AVG, 0.493 xwOBA).

Texas Rangers