Free MLB Picks Today: Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners 7/7/23

Hot-hitting Kyle Tucker will be looking to extend his 13-game hitting streak as the Houston Astros (49-39) host the Seattle Mariners (43-43) at Minute Maid Park on Friday. The Mariners took Thursday’s series opener 5-1, their third head-to-head victory in four games this season.

Starter George Kirby went 6.2 innings, giving up one run on six hits, to get the win. Eugenio Suarez was 3 for 4 with two home runs and a double in the win.

He scored three runs and drove in three. J.P. Crawford added a solo home run. Corey Julks’ on-base streak hit 10 games as he went 3 for 3 with a double and one RBI for the Astros.

ON THE MOUND

Luis Castillo (5-6, 3.14 ERA) is set to start for Seattle. The righty allowed six runs (four earned) over six innings in his last start, a 7-6 road win over the Rays on Sunday. He scattered seven hits while striking out six in the no-decision.

Castillo has made one previous start against the Astros this season, a 6-4 home loss on May 5. He surrendered four runs on five hits over seven innings, striking out five and walking one. For Houston, RHP Hunter Brown (6-5, 3.76 ERA) will toe the rubber.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Mariners. In his last start on Saturday, Brown took the loss on the road against the Rangers. He threw four innings and gave up three runs on 10 hits, striking out six, in the 5-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Seattle has averaged 4.8 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.5. Against righties like Brown this season, the M’s have a .701 OPS. Crawford is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .839 OPS in 198 at-bats.

Houston is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.7 for the season. The ‘Stros have a .723 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .565 SLG over 246 at-bats, Yordan Alvarez has been their best power hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Seattle is 19-23 away from T-Mobile Park in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Houston has gone 24-20 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. In the last 10 games at Minute Maid Park between the AL West rivals, Houston is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.6-3.8.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, seven games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Astros are second in the AL West, two games behind the Rangers.