Collin McHugh (3-3, 6.59 ERA) and the Houston Astros (11-20) go up against Hisashi Iwakuma (1-3, 4.03 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners (18-12) in the last of a four-game division series at Minute Maid Park. The Mariners won the last game 3-2, and Seattle leads the series 2-1. The game starts at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 8 and will air on RTSW and RTNW.
In his most recent outing, McHugh pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four runs, striking out six and walking two in a 6-4 victory over the Twins. Colby Rasmus (.232, 11 Rs, 7 HRs, 25 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one RBI. The Mariners were also victorious the last time Iwakuma pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, giving up one run, striking out three and walking two in an 8-2 victory over the Athletics. Robinson Cano (.306, 19 Rs, 11 HRs, 32 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well for the Mariners, going 4 for 5 yesterday with two runs, two home runs, and two RBIs.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. Against teams in the AL West, the Astros have a SU record of 12-9. Over their past 10 games, Houston’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. The Astros rank fourth in the majors in home runs with 41. The Astros are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 22 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. The most recent 10 game stretch for Houston’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Houston’s opponents are averaging 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0. The Astros are fourth in the AL in walks allowed at home with just 2.1 per game.
Against divisional opponents, the Mariners are 3-9 SU. The Mariners rank fifth in the AL in road scoring, averaging five runs per game. The Mariners are one of the top pitching staffs in the AL, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of 0.0 runs allowed per game. They also allow just 7.1 hits per road game, good for third in the AL.
The Mariners have mostly come out on top against the Astros in their previous six games this season, earning a 4-2 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA
Notes
In their last game, the Mariners won by a margin of one run. The Astros are 3-5 in one-run games. The Mariners have a 7-5 record in close games.
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Mariners have a 4-1 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 3-16. The Mariners have a 3-9 record when opponents outhit them.
Tied at fourth for total home runs, Houston and Seattle have each hit 41 homers this season.
Ranking 27th, Houston is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.61 per game. Seattle ranks in the top half at 14th with 8.33.
Houston and Seattle both rank in the top half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Houston sits at 13th with an OPS of .740, and Seattle ranks 14th with an OPS of .737.
When the Mariners allow at least one home run, they are 12-9. When the Astros allow one or more homers, they have a 7-15 record.
