Mariners vs. Astros Pick
Can the host Houston Astros make it two in a row over the Seattle Mariners Saturday afternoon? First pitch is at 1:05 PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Astros are listed as a -178 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Mariners are a +153 underdog and the over-under is set at 9.5.
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On the mound for Seattle will be Erasmo Ramirez (5-5, 4.25 ERA), while Houston counters with Dallas Keuchel (12-4, 3.03). Ramirez has a 1.14 WHIP with 92 strikeouts in 114 1/3 innings. He allowed two earned run on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks over 6 2/3 innings in a 5-3 home loss to the Angels his last time out. He carries a 5.61 road ERA in 61 innings. Keuchel has a 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts over 127 1/3 innings. He allowed four earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts and four walks in 5 1/3 innings his last start, a 10-2 loss at the Athletics. Keuchel holds a 2.26 home ERA in 59 2/3 frames.
The Mariners are 74-74 overall and 35-38 on the road, while the Astros come in at 89-58 and 42-31 at home. Houston has won seven of the last 10 meetings and the total has gone under eight times.
On Friday night, the Astros claimed a 5-2 victory. George Springer was 1-for-2 with a double, three walks and a run scored. Carlos Correa was 2-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI. Evan Gattis went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, two runs and an RBI. Josh Reddick finished 1-for- 2 with two walks and an RBI. Charlie Morton allowed one earned run and struck out seven over six innings to pick up the win. Ken Giles earned his 31st save. Jean Segura was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs to pace the Mariners. Mike Zunino was 2-for-4 with a double and a run, while Ben Gamel also went 2-for-4 with a run. Robinson Cano had two hits as well. James Paxton allowed three earned runs on 1 1/3 innings to take the loss.
The Astros have their co-ace on the mound in Keuchel, although he’s been up and down in recent starts since coming off the disabled list. Expect him to be near his best Saturday afternoon in his comfort zone at home, slowing down a Mariners lineup that has fallen into slumps quite often this season. Ramirez will have a tough time navigating through the loaded Houston lineup.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -178