Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview Vs Houston Astros

Initial Thoughts:

The Seattle Mariners look to win the first series of this homestand by sending Hisashi Iwakuma to the hill against the Astros. The M’s look to bounce back from a 1979-like display on Saturday for Turn Back The Clock Night.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners 24-24. Last 10: (4-6).

Houston Astros 18-32. Last 10: (5-5).

Game Time: 1:10 PM Pacific. Location: Seattle, Washington. Safeco Field.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Seattle Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (3-0, 1.76 ERA) v. Houston Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel (5-2, 2.92 ERA)

EDGE: Kuma. The way he’s been pitching, it’s hard to pick against him. But Keuchel has had a great season so far and is 1-1 against Seattle this season, allowing 2 ER in 6 IP in his first outing but gave up 4 ER in 6 IP the last time he faced them.

Projected Lineups:

Mariners:

James Jones 8

Stefen Romero 9

Robinson Cano 4

Justin Smoak 3

Kyle Seager 5

Dustin Ackley 7

Nick Franklin DH

Mike Zunino 2

Brad Miller 6

Of Note: After back-to-back starts at short, Miller will more than likely get the nod again. But it wouldn’t surprise me if he was still in the lineup with the lefty on the hill.

Astros:

Jose Altuve 4

George Springer 9

Dexter Fowler 8

Jason Castro 2

Matt Dominguez 5

Chris Carter DH

Marc Krauss 3

Alex Presley 7

Jonathan Villar 6

Of Note: Springer hit two homers off Brandon Maurer as the Astros lit him up for six runs and added three more off Tom Wilhelmsen. This surprising offensive explosion for the ‘Stros seems to only happen against the Mariners.

Other Notes:

James Paxton threw a rehab start at Triple-A Tacoma pitching three innings, giving up four hits and three runs while striking out five. Taijuan Walker will start for Tacoma on Wednesday.

Final Thoughts:

Again, it’s hard to go against Iwakuma here. He can’t win every game – if Felix can’t then no one can right? But I don’t think they lose tonight.

Score Prediction:

Mariners 4, Astros 1