Mariners vs Astros Prediction, Pick and Preview, August 20: MLB

Mariners vs Astros Prediction, Pick and Preview, August 20: MLB

 
Odds
Time 8:10 p.m. EST
Mariners money line +155
Mariners run line +1.5 (-125)
Astros money line -190
Astros run line -1.5 (+105)
Over / under 8.5 (-105)

 

Key stats
  Mariners Astros
Record 66-56 71-50
Road / home record 36-24 34-25
Last 10 record 8-2 5-5
Streak W3 W1
Over / under record 56-61-4 56-62-6
Runs / game 4.20 5.31
Runs allowed / game 4.55 3.95
 
Preview

The Houston Astros will welcome the Seattle Mariners to Minute Maid Park for a three-game set this weekend. Houston leads the season series, 4-2.

The Mariners are streaking after getting off to rough start this month and they've won eight of their last ten games Ty France's heroics in extra's last night gave them their second series sweep over the Rangers, and they enter this vital series with a lot of momentum.

The Astros responded to their longest losing streak of the season by avoiding the sweep and defeating the Royals last night. Houston has been one of more consistent teams in the league, but their most recent stretch reminded us how vulnerable they can be on the road. They only have a two game lead atop the AL West, so these three matchups will be very important.

Pitching Matchup

Mariners

Yusei Kikuchi (7-6, 3.82 ERA) will open the series for Seattle. The third-year lefty appears to be settling into the majors, posting career highs so far this season. He's fared well in his last five road starts, only giving up one run or less in four of those. He's thrown five strikeouts or more in each of his past twelve starts, and he's arguably Seattle's most consistent pitcher.

Astros

Lance McCullers Jr. (9-4, 3.22 ERA) will take the mound for Houston. He's enjoying a breakout season himself, and fanning batters at an impressive rate. LMJ has tossed at least eight strikeouts in seven of his last eight games, including a 10-k performance on the road against a fearsome White Sox lineup. He threw eight Ks in his start against Seattle last month at Safeco.

Prediction

This AL West battle could have playoff implications. Houston and Seattle have flipped scripts a bit over the past couple of weeks, but this feels like a good spot for the Astros. Yes, Seattle is hot right now but they have spent much of that time beating up on the doormat Texas Rangers. Their offense remains unproven beyond the top of their lineup, and they might not be able to keep up with Houston at home. Take the Astros money line tonite, and trust their lineup at home to cover the run line as line.

PICK: Houston Astros -1.5 (+105)

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