Marlins-Orioles Preview
Baltimore, MD – The Florida Marlins have been unable to put together a long winning streak in the past month, managing more than two straight victories once since mid-May.
They will try again Wednesday night when they face Brian Matusz and the woeful Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Marlins –125 money line favorites for Wednesday’s game against the Orioles. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 80% of more than 239 bets for this game have been placed on the Marlins -123.
Florida (34-36) has won three of four and is in position for its first three-game winning streak since May 30-June 1 after beating the Orioles 10-4 on Tuesday. The Marlins recorded their highest-scoring game since a 14-9 victory over Tampa Bay on June 11.
The challenge now for Florida is sustaining that momentum. Since an 8-2 stretch from May 10-19, the Marlins have gone 12-17.
Shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who sat out Sunday with a tight hamstring, had three hits and three RBIs on Tuesday. It was his first three-hit game since May 19, improving his average in interleague play to .333 this season.
"We’re not necessarily concerned with the .500 mark because once we do get back to it we need to keep going," second baseman Dan Uggla said. "Right now we’re all about winning and coming together as a team. We can’t waste any more time. We have to make a move."
The Marlins will try to start doing so when they face Matusz (2-7, 4.67 ERA) for the first time.
The left-hander is in the midst of an 11-game winless streak but has pitched very well in four starts this month, posting a 2.39 ERA and going 0-2 in that span. The Orioles gave him five runs of support in those outings.
Matusz allowed one run in six innings of a 3-2 loss to San Diego on Friday as Baltimore fell to 3-11 in his starts.
The 23-year-old, though, has been able to focus on the positives despite the lack of victories.
"I’ve learned a lot being able to slow the game down in key situations," he told the Orioles’ official website. "To not let the game speed up on me. I feel like I’ve been able to do that in my last few starts, feel like I’ve got in a pretty good groove."
Florida will counter with Ricky Nolasco (5-6, 4.90), who lost his last two starts.
The right-hander gave up four runs – two earned – in six innings of a 6-4 defeat to Texas on Thursday. He has gone 1-4 with a 7.20 ERA in his last six outings.
Nolasco has pitched well in two starts versus the Orioles, going 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA and lasting seven innings each time. He gave up two unearned runs in a 5-2 home victory over Baltimore on June 24.
Posted: 6/23/10 12:44AM ET