Dallas Keuchel (15-6, 2.28 ERA) and the Houston Astros (72-59) square off against Vidal Nuno (0-2, 2.88 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners (61-70) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the first of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 31 and can be seen on RTNW and RTSW.
Keuchel pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs and striking out nine in a 15-1 win over the Yankees. George Springer (.264, 43 Rs, 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run and one stolen base. Nuno went 1.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out one and walking one in an 8-2 defeat to the Athletics in his last outing. Nelson Cruz (.314, 77 Rs, 39 HRs, 82 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Houston, a big -210 favorite, takes on Seattle. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at seven runs for this matchup. The Astros have an overall money line of +765 and a record as the favorite of 42-31. Within its division, Houston has a 12-15 record as favorite and a 28-23 record SU. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 98 bases. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Astros, who have a team ERA of only 3.25. The Astros are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.17 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Astros, who rank fifth in the AL in strikeouts per game with 7.8.
In games where it is the underdog, Seattle has a 24-28 record and an overall money line of -1,601. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-2 record when playing as the underdog. The Mariners can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking fifth in the league with 156 home runs. The Mariners allow 4.6 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 5.8 runs per game during that span.
The Astros have controlled the season series, 9-4. The Astros have a 25-20 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Nuno takes the mound. Keuchel (LHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 16-24 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Mariners lost by a margin of one run. The Astros are 19-21 in one-run games. The Mariners have a 26-22 record in close games.
Seattle has won 39% (19-30) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Houston has won 58% (29-21) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Mariners managed to give up seven walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Astros who are heading in with a 5-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Mariners are 39-18. The Astros have a 51-15 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 24th, Seattle sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 509 this season. Houston ranks in the top half at 11th with 562.
Ranking 13th, Seattle is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 376 this season. Houston ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 392.
When the Astros hit at least one home run, they are 59-35. When the Mariners hit at least one homer, they have a 52-40 record.
