Collin McHugh (6-2, 4.34 ERA) and Mike Montgomery (0-1, 2.08 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (35-27) and the Seattle Mariners (27-34) at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the last game 10-0 and Houston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 4:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jun. 13 and can be seen on ROOT-NW and ROOT-SW.
McHugh is 5-2 with a 4.23 ERA in his appearances against the Mariners, and goes up against a below-average Seattle offense which is batting just .235 this season. George Springer (.255, 28 Rs, 8 HRs, 20 RBIs, 13 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI. Montgomery went 7.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out three and walking one in a 3-1 defeat to the Rays in his most recent start. Nelson Cruz (.326, 33 Rs, 18 HRs, 39 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
Houston is a -135 favorite against Seattle and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Astros have an overall money line of +531 and a record as the favorite of 15-13. Within its division, Houston has a 5-6 record as favorite and an 18-11 record SU. The Astros have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.1 runs per game. The Astros are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 194. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 50 bases. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Astros, who have a team ERA of only 3.55. The Astros are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.16 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Seattle has a 9-13 record and an overall money line of -1,004. They are 3-4 as the underdog against AL West opponents, and 13-12 SU. Offensively, the Mariners have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 3.5 runs per game by averaging 2.2 during that stretch. Seattle’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL, with a 3.57 ERA.
The Astros have controlled the season series, 7-1. The Astros have a 12-13 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Montgomery takes the mound. McHugh (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 22-27 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Under
Notes
The Astros won their last game by a 10-run margin. In games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more, the Mariners are 0-2. The Astros are 2-0 in blowouts this season.
Seattle has won 56% (10-8) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Houston has won 58% (15-11) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Astros are coming into this matchup after a high-scoring game where they scored a whopping 10 runs. The Mariners have a 1-3 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 9-18. The Mariners have a 10-18 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Houston has hit 83 this season. Seattle ranks ninth with 64 home runs.
Houston and Seattle both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Houston sits at 15th with 7.74 hits per game and Seattle ranks 13th with 7.98.
Ranking 25th, Seattle is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.678). Houston ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .715.
When the Mariners allow at least one home run, they are 11-29, well-matched with the Astros who are 12-19 when allowing at least one homer.
