ASTROS-MARINERS GAME PREVIEW
Crucial elements in Astros' push to take division with win over Mariners
Sep 24, 2024, 11:45 am
Framber Valdez can help the Astros clinch the division Tuesday night. Composite Getty Image.
The Seattle Mariners (81-76) and Houston Astros (85-72) face off Tuesday night at 8:10 p.m. EDT for the second game of their crucial three-game series. The Mariners currently hold a 1-0 lead in the series after defeating Houston 6-1 on Monday.
Pitching Probables:
- Mariners: Logan Gilbert (8-11, 3.24 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 207 strikeouts) has been a strong performer for Seattle all season, boasting a WHIP under 1.00. He will look to continue dominating as the Mariners push for playoff contention.
- Astros: Framber Valdez (14-7, 2.85 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 165 strikeouts) gets the start for Houston. Valdez has been the Astros' ace this season, leading the team with 14 wins and a stellar 2.85 ERA.
Line:
- BETMGM Sportsbook: Astros -136, Mariners +115, over/under set at 7 runs.
Bottom Line:
The Mariners, 7-4 against the Astros this season, look to build on their Monday win. Seattle has struggled on the road (35-44), but their MLB-leading 3.51 ERA makes them a tough matchup for Houston. Meanwhile, the Astros are 45-34 at home and boast the third-best team batting average in MLB at .262.
Top Performers:
- Astros: Alex Bregman continues to produce for Houston, with 25 home runs and 73 RBI this season. Kyle Tucker is also in fine form, hitting 13-for-34 with three home runs over the past 10 games.
- Mariners: Julio Rodríguez remains a key player for Seattle, with 19 home runs and 17 doubles. Luke Raley has also been solid recently, going 9-for-31 with two home runs over the last 10 games.
Recent Form:
- Astros: 6-4 in their last 10 games, with a .262 team batting average and 4.45 ERA, outscoring opponents by just three runs.
- Mariners: 7-3 over their last 10 games, hitting .294 with a 3.39 team ERA, outscoring opponents by 14 runs.
Tuesday’s game will be critical for both teams as they battle for playoff positioning in the tight AL West race.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.