Marlins at Astros
The Miami Marlins attempt to remain perfect on their nine-game road trip when they take on the Houston Astros in the middle game of their three-game series on Tuesday. Miami swept three-game sets in both San Francisco and San Diego before capturing the opener of this series on Monday behind a three-hit shutout by Carlos Zambrano.
The Marlins have not won eight straight on the road since 1995 and have not captured eight in a row overall since a nine-game winning streak in 2008. Houston began its nine-game homestand with a season-high five consecutive wins before losing its last two contests.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN (Miami, Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Anibal Sanchez (2-0, 2.43 ERA) vs. Astros RH Aneury Rodriguez (NR)
Sanchez has been superb thus far this season, allowing two earned runs or less while tossing at least six innings in each of his five starts. The 28-year-old limited the Giants to one run and seven hits over seven frames in a victory at San Francisco on Thursday. Sanchez has performed well against Houston in his career, going 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA in six outings.
Rodriguez will be making his season debut, starting in place of Kyle Weiland. The 24-year-old Dominican was 1-3 with a 4.97 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Rodriguez made 43 appearances - eight starts - as a rookie last year and went 1-6 with a 5.27 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Sanchez has recorded 38 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings this year.
2. Florida's Giancarlo Stanton enters with a 10-game hitting streak. He found his power stroke during the run, hitting all six of his home runs on the season over his last nine contests.
3. Rodriguez has a team-high 37 strikeouts over 29 innings with Oklahoma City.