Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview Versus the Astros

Even though Felix Day didn’t end with a 15th victory for King Felix Hernandez, the Mariners notched a 4-1 victory and maintained a 0.5 game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card race.

Today the Mariners face a tough task in one of Houston’s best starters on the season. The M’s are simultaneously hoping the Oakland Athletics lose once again to the Chicago White Sox.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners: 79-64. Last 10: 7-3.

Houston Astros: 63-81. Last 1o: 7-3.

Game Time: 7:10 PM Pacific time. Location: Seattle, Washington. Safeco Field.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Seattle Mariners LHP Roenis Elias (10-12, 3.90 ERA) v. Houston Astros RHP Collin McHugh (8-9, 2.89 ERA)

Edge? McHugh.

Elias has had an up and down rookie campaign, with flashes of brilliance intermingled with shellings that knock him out of the game before the 5th inning. McHugh, despite a losing record, has a sub-3.00 ERA and remains one of the few bright spots in the Astros Major League organization this season. He seems to pose a very tough test for the Mariners in the midst of a serious run at the playoffs.

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• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB
• Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan

Lineups:

Mariners:

Austin Jackson 8

Endy Chavez 7

Robinson Cano 4

Kyle Seager 5

Kendrys Morales DH

Logan Morrison 3

Mike Zunino 2

Michael Saunders 9

Brad Miller 6

Of Note: Brad Miller erupted last night for 3-RBI, including a 2-run triple in the 8th inning to break a 1-1 deadlock. He and Chris Taylor have been splitting time of late at short, as Miller seems to be heating up at the right time. Saunders contributed immediately last night offensively, while also nearly robbing an Astro of a home run. He starts again with the ankle injury to Dustin Ackley.

Astros:

Robbie Grossman 7

Jose Altuve 4

Dexter Fowler 8

Chris Carter DH

Jason Castro 2

Jake Marisnick 7

Jon Singleton 3

Matt Dominguez 5

Jonathan Villar 6

Of Note: the Astros managed 7 hits of Felix and Co. last night, but their lone run came in the top of the 7th on a sca fly by Jose Altuve. As a team they were 0-for-10 with RISP, and left 11 men on base over the 9 innings.

Final Thoughts:

This is a big game for the Mariners– which isn’t saying much as all games from hereon out are big ones. But McHugh is the best guy the Astros could possibly throw at the M’s, and a win tonight is key before a crucial 4-game set against the Angels this weekend.

Score Prediction:

Mariners 4, Astros 3.