KEYS TO SUCCESS

Crucial elements at work as Astros aim to even Mariners series

Astros Jose Altuve
Jose Altuve is Houston's best offensive player this season. Composite Getty Image.

Houston Astros (4-6) vs. Seattle Mariners (4-7)
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park, Seattle

Probable Pitchers:

  • Astros: Framber Valdez (1-1, 3.75 ERA)
  • Mariners: Luis Castillo (1-1, 3.00 ERA)

Game Preview:

The Houston Astros aim to even the series against the Seattle Mariners after a narrow 4-3 loss in the opener. Framber Valdez takes the mound for Houston, looking to rebound from a challenging outing where he allowed five earned runs over five innings against the Giants. Valdez has pitched at least five innings in both starts this season.

Seattle counters with right-hander Luis Castillo, who has been consistent, posting a 3.00 ERA over 12 innings. In his last start, Castillo pitched seven innings, giving up two earned runs against the Tigers.

Players to Watch:

  • Jose Altuve (Astros): The veteran left fielder/second baseman leads Houston with three home runs and a .357 batting average.
  • Julio Rodríguez (Mariners): Seattle's center fielder has matched Altuve with three home runs and five RBIs, though he's batting .195.

Injury Updates:

  • Mariners: Outfielder Victor Robles is on IL with a dislocated shoulder.
  • Astros: Pitcher Spencer Arrighetti suffered a broken right thumb after being hit by a line drive during pre-game warmups on Monday and is expected to miss significant time.

Betting Odds:


*ChatGPT assisted with this article.

________________________________________________________________

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome