The Seattle Mariners (28-20) are set to face the Houston Astros (25-24) in a four-game series starting Thursday at Daikin Park in Houston, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. The Mariners lead the season series against the Astros 2-1.
In their latest game, the Mariners secured a narrow 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox, marking their second consecutive win in the series. This win also ended a streak of seven consecutive games that went under the total runs. Key performances came from catcher Cal Raleigh, outfielder Julio Rodriguez, and outfielder Leodys Taveras, each contributing home runs. Rodriguez notably drove in three runs during the contest. Seattle has been on a strong run, winning five of their last six games, all on the road.
The Mariners will have starting pitcher George Kirby making his season debut after being sidelined for the first part of the season due to inflammation in his right shoulder. Kirby has been rehabilitating and will be limited to 75-80 pitches in his first start. In his last rehab outing, he showcased an impressive fastball that reached 98 mph.
On the other hand, the Astros are coming off an 8-4 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays, which ended a four-game streak of games going under the total. In that loss, shortstop Isaac Paredes had a commendable outing, hitting two home runs and driving in three runs.
The matchup will feature Kirby against Astros’ right-hander Lance McCullers Jr., who is looking to improve from a difficult start to the season. McCullers has an ERA of 7.88 and has struggled significantly, especially at home.
Given the performance trends of both teams and the current odds from BetMGM Sportsbook, analysts project a close game, likely featuring some offensive action early on, but potential difficulty in scoring as the bullpens are deployed. The Mariners are seen as slight favorites, with the over/under set at 8.5 runs.
In a positive light, both teams have shown resilience, with the Mariners eager to maintain their winning momentum and Kirby looking to make a strong return. Meanwhile, a revitalized McCullers could also turn the tide in favor of the Astros, setting up an intriguing matchup for fans.
This game presents an exciting opportunity for both teams as they aim to sharpen their competitive edge heading deeper into the season.