Collin McHugh (3-0, 2.92 ERA) and Taijuan Walker (1-2, 6.86 ERA) start in the third of a four-game series between the Houston Astros (16-7) and the Seattle Mariners (10-13) at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the last game 4-3, continuing an eight-game winning streak. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 2 and can be seen on ROOT-NW and ROOT-SW.
McHugh is 4-2 with a 4.06 ERA in his appearances against the Mariners, and goes up against a below-average Seattle offense which is batting just .236 this season. Jose Altuve (.376, 14 Rs, 2 HRs, 16 RBIs, 9 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run. When pitching against the Astros, Walker is 3-0 with a 2.67 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts. Nelson Cruz (.330, 15 Rs, 11 HRs, 23 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Mariners, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Houston is a -140 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 +1,032 and a record as the favorite of 4-3. Houston has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 3-2 and 11-5 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Astros have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 6.9 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.7 runs per game. The Astros lead the MLB in home runs with 32. Houston leads the MLB in steals, swiping 30 bases. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Astros, who have a team ERA of only 3.04. The Astros are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.05 so far this season.
Over in the other dugout, Seattle is coming in with an overall money line of -523 and a disappointing record of 2-3 as the underdog. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games while playing as the underdog, and have a 5-5 SU record over the same span. The Mariners have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.1 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Astros lead the season series, 4-1. Despite a 9-5 record against right-handed starting pitchers, the Astros have a 2-4 record at home versus righties, which is what they’ll be facing when Walker takes the mound. McHugh (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 7-8 record against right-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 5-1 in one-run games. The Mariners have a 5-4 record in close games.
When the Astros play into extra innings, they have a 3-0 record. The Mariners are 2-3 when their games exceed nine innings.
After a weak showing last week where they got in six hits, the Mariners need to step it up. The Astros have a record of 7-1 when opponents get six hits or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Mariners are 4-9. The Astros have a 3-3 record when opponents outhit them.
Houston ranks at the top of the league when it comes to home runs with 32 this season. Seattle ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 27.
Ranking 11th, Seattle is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.05 per game. Houston ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.27.
Ranking 19th, Seattle is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.681). Houston ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .737.
The Mariners are 3-9 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Astros are 4-5 when they allow at least one homer.
