The two top teams in the AL West division continue a three-game set as the Houston Astros are visiting T-Mobile Park to take on the Seattle Mariners. Houston collected its seventh straight win by topping Seattle 10-6 last night which snapped its six-game winning streak. Justin Verlander (HOU) opposes Felix Hernandez (SEA) on the hill with the Astros Sportsbook as a -190 favorite and the Mariners coming back at +165 with the total Sportsbook at 8.5 runs.
Astros vs Mariners Game Center
Standout Stats
- After starting the season a little sluggish going 2-5 SU and 1-6 ATS, Houston has rattled off seven wins in a row going 7-0 SU and 4-3 ATS over that span. Meanwhile, Seattle has been the most profitable team in baseball this year, earning bettors a profit of +$1,089 if you bet $100 on each of its games this year and it is 13-3 SU and 11-5 ATS so far. The Astros picked up a 10-6 win over the M’s last night.
- The offense has been rolling for Seattle, while Houston’s pitching has been strong early on and that has resulted in these teams being on opposite sides of the totals thus far. The total has gone UNDER in nine of the Astros’ 14 games this season with an average combined score of 7.93. Conversely, the total has gone OVER in 12 of the Mariners’ first 16 contests with an average combined score of 13. The two teams played to a combined score of 16 last night.
- Seattle is looking to move to a perfect 3-0 in Felix Hernandez starts this season. The veteran righty had a strong debut tossing 5.1 innings allowing seven hits and three runs (one earned) vs the Angels, but only lasted one inning last time out vs Kansas City as he was dealing with the flu. Houston second baseman Jose Altuve has owned Hernandez in his career going 14-for-29 with five extra-base hits, including a home run. The Venezuela native has had a 6.00 ERA through his last five starts vs Houston.
- Justin Verlander gets the ball for the Astros looking to continue his strong start to the season. The 36-year-old has had two quality starts through his first three outings only getting roughed up by Texas on April 2. Most recently, he surrendered three runs on seven hits over six innings in a 4-3 win over the Yankees. Although Seattle designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is just a career 4-for-35 vs Verlander, two of those hits were homers.
- Both teams have hit righties hard early on as Seattle is 11-2 vs right-handed starters, while Houston is 5-4. However, the Astros rank fourth in MLB with a .280 batting average vs RHP and the M’s rank second hitting .290.
My Best Bet for Houston vs Seattle
Houston -1.5
Felix Hernandez isn’t the same dominant pitcher we have seen in the past and I think the Houston bats are going to get on him early and often. Conversely, the Mariners’ lineup hasn’t had much success against Verlander and I anticipate that to continue. The Astros are playing very well right now and I think they put on a strong performance tonight.
