Scott Kazmir (7-9, 2.45 ERA) takes the hill for the Houston Astros (73-60) as they square off against Taijuan Walker (10-7, 4.53 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners (62-71) in the last of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Mariners won the last game 7-5 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sep. 2 and can be seen on RTNW and RTSW.
Kazmir pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out six and walking one in a 3-0 defeat to the Twins. Carlos Correa (.279, 38 Rs, 16 HRs, 45 RBIs, 11 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday. Walker went 6.1 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out six and walking one in a 2-0 win over the White Sox in his most recent start.
Houston is a -165 favorite against Seattle and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Astros have an overall money line of +865 and a record as the favorite of 43-31. Within its division, Houston has a 13-15 record as favorite and a 29-23 record SU. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 100 bases. Turning to the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Astros, who have a team ERA of only 3.26. 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 24-30 record and an overall money line of -1,801. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-3 record when playing as the underdog. Offensively, the Mariners have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.9 runs per game by averaging 4.9 during that stretch. The Mariners can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking fifth in the league with 161 home runs.
The Astros lead the season series, 10-5. The Astros have a 47-39 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Walker takes the mound. Kazmir (LHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 16-26 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 12th time this season, the Mariners registered at least two errors in a game.
The Astros managed to give up seven walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Mariners who are coming in with a 3-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 13-42. The Mariners have a 16-47 record when opponents outhit them.
Houston and Seattle both rank in the top five of the league in home runs. Houston sits at second with 180 home runs this season and Seattle ranks fifth with 161.
Houston and Seattle both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Houston sits at 15th with 8.12 hits per game and Seattle ranks 11th with 8.44.
Ranking 17th, Seattle is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.716). Houston ranks in the top 10 at 10th with an OPS of .731.
When the Mariners allow at least one home run, they are 31-58, well-matched with the Astros who are 26-41 when allowing at least one homer.
