Hisashi Iwakuma (0-2, 3.81 ERA) and Collin McHugh (1-3, 7.56 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (11-9) and the Houston Astros (6-15) at Safeco Field. The Mariners won the last game 11-1, and Seattle leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Apr. 27 and can be seen on RTSW and RTNW.
Iwakuma pitched 8.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out three and walking one in a 5-2 win over the Angels. Robinson Cano (.237, 11 Rs, 7 HRs, 21 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and six RBIs. McHugh went 4.0 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out three and walking one in a 6-2 defeat to the Red Sox in his most recent start. Colby Rasmus (.273, 11 Rs, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
The odds for Seattle and Houston are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Within its division, Seattle has a record of 0-4 SU. The Mariners have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Seattle’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. The Mariners are the second-best team in the AL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 1.7 walks per game to their opponents this season.
The Astros are 6-7 against fellow AL West members. Offensively, the Astros have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Astros can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking fifth in the league with 27 home runs. The Astros are an excellent base stealing team with 18 stolen bases, ranking second in the MLB. The Astros allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Mariners have the edge in the season series, 2-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU
Notes
The Mariners won their last game by a 10-run margin. In games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more, the Astros are 0-2. The Mariners are 1-0 in blowouts this season.
The Mariners are coming into this matchup after a high-scoring game where they scored a whopping 11 runs. The Astros have a 0-2 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
It looks like the Mariners have a slight leg up on the Astros, as the Mariners have won their last three games while the Astros have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 5-3. The Mariners have an 8-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 17th in runs, Houston has earned 79 this season. Seattle ranks 11th with 89 runs.
Ranking 12th, Seattle is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 66 this season. Houston ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 74.
The Mariners are 10-6 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Astros are 5-11 when they hit at least one homer.
