J.P. France is in line for his first start of the season as the Houston Astros (-210) take on the Seattle Mariners (+175) at T-Mobile Park on Saturday. The early total has been set at 8.5 runs (O: -105 | U: -115). The Astros (17-15) took Friday’s series opener 6-4, their fifth straight head-to-head victory.
Reliever Bryan Abreu was credited with the win after throwing one inning, and Ryan Pressly earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.Kyle Tucker was 3 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and drove in two. Teoscar Hernandez went 2 for 4 with one run for the Mariners (15-17).
ON THE MOUND
France is slated to start for Houston, his season debut. For Seattle, left-hander Marco Gonzales (2-0, 4.74 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Astros.
Gonzales made four appearances against the Astros in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 12 and walking four over 26 innings (1-3, 3.81).
In his last start on Sunday, Gonzales took a no-decision on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw three innings and gave up eight runs (5 ER) on eight hits, striking out two and walking one in the 10-8 win.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Houston has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.5. Against lefties like Gonzales this season, the ‘Stros have a .735 OPS.
Jeremy Pena is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.049 OPS in 29 at-bats. Seattle is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.3 for the season, with a higher slugging percentage (.394 vs .373).
The M’s have a .686 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .410 OBP over 81 at-bats, J.P. Crawford has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is on a three-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 9-4 in 2023. The ‘Stros have scored 4.9 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.3 runs.
Seattle has gone 7-10 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. In the last 10 games between the AL West rivals at T-Mobile Park, Houston is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 3.2-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros are third in the AL West, one games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, three games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
