Seattle Mariners Ichiro Suzuki shakes hands with Jean Segura #2 after the 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on September 14, 2018 in Anaheim, California.

UNDER is Trending When Mariners Invade Minute Maid Park

The Houston Astros are on fire right now, while the Seattle Mariners are inching toward mathematical elimination from the playoffs ahead of a three-game series between the AL West rivals starting Monday. The Astros, who’ve rattled off wins in 12 of their last 14 games, opened as -166 home favorites with a total of 8.5 at sportsbooks.

SHARK BITES
  • The total has gone UNDER in the Mariners’ last three games on the road vs the Astros.
  • The Mariners are 4-0 SU in their last four games on the road vs the Astros (avg. winning margin: 1.75).
  • The total has gone UNDER in the Mariners’ last six games on the road with Wade LeBlanc as the starting pitcher.

Mariners vs Astros Game Center

LeBlanc, Valdez set to get the ball

Wade LeBlanc and Framber Valdez are listed as the probable starters in this one. LeBlanc (8-4, 3.56 ERA) had a string of three straight solid outings come to an end when he was taken for five runs – two earned – on four hits and a walk over five innings to suffer the loss against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. The 34-year-old allowed a total of one run across 19 innings against Arizona, Oakland and Baltimore in his previous three turns.

Valdez (3-1, 2.66) was reached for four runs on five hits and four walks over four innings without factoring into the decision against the Detroit Tigers last Tuesday. The rookie yielded a total of three earned runs in his first four appearances (three starts). Valdez made his major league debut in relief against Seattle on August 21 and picked up a win while scattering an unearned run and two hits across 4.1 innings of work.

Mariners, Astros love going UNDER in Texas

When the Mariners and Astros get together in Houston, low-scoring affairs tend to follow. In the last three meetings between the clubs at Minute Maid Park, the UNDER is a perfect 3-0. The UNDER is also 6-0 in LeBlanc’s past six road games. If Valdez can get back to the form he showed in his first four appearances, this one could very likely be headed UNDER the total.

Seattle has had success at Minute Maid Park

Home-field advantage hasn’t meant much for the Astros when playing at home against Seattle, as the Mariners are 4-0 SU in their last four road games vs Houston with an average winning margin of 1.8 runs. The Mariners are also 4-0 SU in their last four road games behind LeBlanc and 6-2 SU in their past eight when coming off a loss. It’s hard to trust the M’s right now, but if they’re going to bounce back, it could come tonight.

Why I’m on the UNDER in this game

I’m not the biggest fan of following betting trends day in and day out, but the trends supporting the UNDER tonight are strong, and LeBlanc’s penchant for producing away from home is the cherry on top. Valdez has proven he has what it takes to pitch at the highest level already, so expect a low-scoring game in Houston tonight.

The total has gone UNDER in the Mariners’ last three games on the road vs the Astros. The Mariners are 4-0 SU in their last four games on the road vs the Astros (avg. winning margin: 1.75). The total has gone UNDER in the Mariners’ last six games on the road with Wade LeBlanc as the starting pitcher.away
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