Astros aim to flex muscles again in series finale vs. Marlins

With 15 runs in their last two games, the Houston Astros will bid for a series sweep over the host Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon.

Astros manager Joe Espada said he believes he knows why his team is producing after getting swept last weekend by the Boston Red Sox in a series in which Houston scored only five runs.

First, shortstop Jeremy Pena is back after missing a month due to a rib injury. Secondly, the Astros added three talented hitters just before the trade deadline -- Carlos Correa, Jesus Sanchez and Ramon Urias.

"I know where I want to go with those guys," Espada said. "But it's easier when you have dynamic players. They can do a lot of damage offensively."

Houston's lineup would figure to be even stronger if not for injuries to designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, third baseman Isaac Paredes and center fielder Jake Meyers.

Alvarez hit 35 homers last year and has been out since May 5 due to a fractured right hand. Paredes sustained a serious hamstring injury on July 20, and Meyers has been out a month due to a strained calf.

In addition, Houston lost two stars in the offseason, trading Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs (for Paredes and others) and allowing Alex Bregman to leave as a free agent to the Red Sox.

Even so, the Astros lead the American League West, and Marlins manager Clayton McCullough is not surprised.

"They find a way," McCullough said. "They have a good collection of offensive players. They pitch well, and they've been (winning) for a number of years."

The Marlins, though, continue to get great performances from rookie center fielder Jakob Marsee, who has been a revelation in his first five MLB games, going 6-for-12 with five walks and three RBIs. He also has one homer, one triple, three doubles and a single.

Marsee hit his first MLB homer in Tuesday's 7-3 setback to Houston.

"Congratulations to him - that's a cool moment," McCullough said. "We've talked about his at-bat quality. (On Tuesday), he put a good swing on a breaking ball. He made a nice running catch. He's making plays on both sides of the ball."

McCullough also talked about Marsee's state of mind when he was promoted to the majors before this past weekend.

"You come up, and you feel you are ready," McCullough said. "You believe that, but to get off to a great start like this helps the confidence."

Wednesday's pitching matchup will feature a pair of right-handers in Miami's Janson Junk (5-2, 3.86 ERA) and Houston's Spencer Arrighetti (1-1, 5.59).

Junk, who is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in his lone appearance against Houston, is having a career year. He has set personal highs across the board, including appearances (13), starts (eight), wins (five) and innings (65 2/3).

Arrighetti, who has never faced Miami, went 7-13 with a 4.53 ERA as a rookie last year. He has a five-pitch mix, including an emerging sweeper.

He had a 3.18 ERA in the second half of 2024 but has yet to regain that form.

--Field Level Media