3 key factors to watch as Mariners travel to Houston to play the Astros

The Astros lack of offense

At this point in the season, the Mariners actually hold the head-to-head matchup against the Astros with a 6-4 lead. In the Astros four wins, they've scored 5,4,3,4. In their losses, they've scored 0,4,2,2,1,4. It stands out that the Astros just haven't been able to do much on offense against the Mariners this season, and that's paramount to the Mariners success in this final series.

With an average of 2.9 runs compared to the Mariners average of...3.0 runs per game, it has all the makings of a low scoring series. There has been a lot made this season about the Mariners record and how drastically it changes in games of them scoring three or less runs as opposed to their record when they score four or more. The Mariners games against the Astros are a prime example of why that is. Getting to four runs nearly guarantees you a win.

If the Mariners can continue to quiet the Astros, they'll have a chance. Kyle Tucker is back with a vengeance, hitting .457/.558/.771 in his last 11 games... but it looks like the Astros may be without Yordan Alvarez in this series after hurting his knee against the Angels. If Alvarez does miss time and they can keep Tucker in check, the Mariners might just have a chance.