Astros at Marlins
Marlins acting manager Joey Cora’s lineup changes Friday resulted in a 5-4 win in 11 innings over the Astros, but there’s still reason for concern. Hanley Ramirez is batting .133 after going hitless in five at-bats, and Logan Morrison appears to need regular rest while still recovering from off-season knee surgery. However, Miami won’t get much sympathy from Houston, which has lost three straight after starting 3-1.
Houston also juggled its lineup Friday with the season debut of shortstop Jed Lowrie, who was on the disabled list with a sprained right thumb. Lowrie was inserted in the second spot in the lineup, moving second baseman Jose Altuve to the No. 8 spot in the order. Lowrie will be batting in front of the red-hot J.D. Martinez, who is the only Astro to hit safely in all seven games this season.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Houston, FS Florida
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Bud Norris (0-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Carlos Zambrano (0-0, 6.00 ERA)
Norris, who is 1-1 with a 6.65 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins, allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings of work Sunday against Colorado. Norris owns a 21-24 career record, and he’s struck out nearly one hitter per inning pitched in his career (396 in 402 1/3 innings).
Zambrano allowed four runs on four hits with six strikeouts over six innings last Sunday against Cincinnati. He is 16-8 with a 2.72 ERA in 35 appearances (33 starts) against Houston. In three starts against the Astros last year, Zambrano was 2-0 with a 3.66 ERA. Carlos Lee is 24-for-67 (.358) with five homers against Zambrano.
WALK-OFFS
1. Martinez hit the first home run at Marlins Park on Friday, but there were several deep drives that didn’t clear the wall.
2. Miami went 6-1 against the Astros in 2011.
3. Steve Cishek has appeared in six of the Marlins’ first eight games, allowing two hits and no runs over 5 1/3 innings.