The Houston Astros (106-56), one of the top lineups in the AL, are set to host the Seattle Mariners (92-72) at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday to open their American League Divisional Playoffs series. The Mariners are coming off a two-game sweep of the Blue Jays, taking the finale 10-9 on Saturday at Rogers Centre for their fifth straight win. Carlos Santana was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. He had three RBIs. Cal Raleigh went 3 for 4 with a double, three runs, and one RBI. The Astros won two of three against the Phillies in their last series, taking the finale 3-2 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Chas McCormick went 3 for 3 with a double, one run, and one RBI. Christian Vazquez added a solo home run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Astros won 12 of 19 in the regular season series between the AL West rivals, including a 3-2 victory in 10 innings in their most recent meeting on July 31 at Minute Maid Park. Hector Neris threw one scoreless inning out of the bullpen to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Logan Gilbert (13-6, 3.20 ERA) is in line for the start for Seattle. The RHP allowed one run over eight innings in his last start, a 2-1 home win over the Athletics on September 30. He gave up three hits while striking out four and walking two in the no-decision. Over four previous starts against the Astros this season, Gilbert has allowed only seven earned runs over 25 innings (2-1, 2.52). He has struck out 22 and walked six. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA) is on the mound for Houston. He has made six appearances against the Mariners this season, all starts, giving up 11 runs over 42.1 innings (5-1, 2.34) with 43 strikeouts and six walks. In his last start on October 4, Verlander got the win at home against the Phillies. He threw five scoreless, no-hit innings, striking out 10 and walking one in the 10-0 victory. The right-hander leads MLB in ERA. He also shares the AL lead in wins.
AT THE PLATE
The Seattle offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .230/.315/.390. Julio Rodriguez leads the team in OPS at .853. The center fielder is slashing .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 86 runs over 134 games. Over the last five games, however, Seattle has averaged 7.0 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.298/.359/.486). Against right-handed pitchers like Verlander this season, the M’s have a .702 OPS. Rodriguez also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .860 OPS in 391 at-bats. Houston is slashing .248/.319/.424 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game, third best in the American League. Four Astros hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yordan Alvarez (1.019). The left fielder has 37 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 95 runs scored with a slash line of .306/.406/.613. The ‘Stros have a .726 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .881 OPS over 361 at-bats, Alex Bregman has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Seattle is 46-37 away from T-Mobile Park in 2022, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 4.0 runs. Houston has gone 55-26 at Minute Maid Park this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.1. In the last 10 games between the teams at Minute Maid Park, Houston is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.7-2.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros won the AL West. The Mariners finished second in the AL West.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Seattle Mariners (+180)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
