A key battle on the MLB odds menu sees visiting Houston duelling Florida on Sunday at Sun Life Stadium.

It's a pitching duel between Chris Volstad for the Marlins (4-8 on the year) and Wandy Rodriguez for Houston (6-5 so far).



View Houston vs Florida Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks had installed the Marlins as -115 moneyline favorites in this particular MLB matchup. The total, meanwhile, was set early at 8 before betting started to move the line.

Power Rankings:
According to new MLB Power Rankings here, it's the National League No. 9-ranked Marlins and the National League No. 14-rated Astros in this matchup.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Florida's No. 12 ranked National League offense (3.9 runs per game) against a Astros defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 16 in the National League at 5 runs allowed per game. The Marlins have been averaging 8.3 hits per game, less than the Astros have managed so far this season (9 hits on average).

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Florida has the National League's No. 9-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Astros own the National League's No. 16 mark in runs allowed.

Houston was a 6-1 loser in its last match on the road against the Marlins. They lost as +172 underdogs, while the total score of 7 made winners of UNDER bettors. Houston looks to rebound from a loss to the Marlins, who beat them 6-1 on Saturday behind a start from Ricky Nolasco at Sun Life Stadium.




Houston Astros Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Pittsburgh are 2-8
After playing Florida are 4-6
After a loss are 2-8

Florida Marlins Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6
After playing Houston are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

A few Astros at Marlins trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Houston's last 12 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Florida
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Florida
Florida is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Houston
Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Florida's last 12 games when playing at home against Houston
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games


Next up:
Houston home to Pittsburgh, Friday, July 15
Florida at Chi Cubs, Thursday, July 14