With a Magic Number of two, the Astros can finish off the Mariners with one victory out of their three-game set.
The Houston Astros will be hosting the Seattle Mariners three times, starting tonight at 7:10 PM CT.
This series is the fourth and final series of the year between these two. The Mariners lead it, six-to-four. Houston can only claim the season series with a sweep, while Seattle can stay alive, also only with a sweep.
Barring an unfathomably historic collapse involving a 6-0 run by Seattle coincident with an 0-6 swoon for the Astros, Houston should be able to nail down the American League West without a lot of nail biting. History is on Houston’s side as well, with the Astros holding a 126-87 regular season edge over the M’s, a .592 win percentage that ranks second behind only Houston’s 130-83 record against the Halos.
The last time these two met was in Seattle from July 19 through July 21, with Houston taking two-of-three. In their last triumph, in the middle game of that series, the Astros took a 4-2 win. Jake Meyers (11) and Yainer Díaz (8) connected for long balls, with Díaz turning in the only multi-hit game for the ‘stros. Framber Valdez finished one out short of a Quality Start, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks over 5 2⁄3 innings, he struck out six. Tayler Scott (7-3, 1.35) got the victory despite facing only one batter. Bryan Abreu, Ryan Pressly, and Josh Hader each added a hitless inning, collectively striking out five and walking two.
We’re all competing for everything, two teams chasing first place. Game respects game. — Julio Rodriguez
Houston is just coming off a four-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels, winning the first three before dropping the finale on an uncharacteristic Josh Hader (8-8, 3.67) blown save. In Houston’s final win of the set, on Saturday, they topped the Halos, 10-4 with a 20-hit attack. Kyle Tucker (22) and Yordan Alvarez (35) both went deep with four-hit performances. Victor Caratini (7) also hit a homer, turning in a two-hit effort along with Yainer Díaz, Jeremy Peña, Jake Meyers, and Mauricio Dubón. Ronel Blanco (12-6, 2.88) earned the win with six innings of two-run ball.
He didn’t even let me enjoy the homer because I was getting into the dugout and he was already hitting his, but just very happy to have him back — Alvarez, on Tucker
Coming in, Seattle won two-of-three against the Texas Rangers to stay on life-support. They dropped the final game, 6-5, on a Marcus Semien walk-off RBI-single. Dylan Moore led Seattle’s offense with a pair of hits, while Cal Raleigh (31) went deep. Bryan Woo earned no decision, allowing four runs in six innings. Andrés Muñoz (3-7, 2.16) absorbed the loss.
We talked about it a lot [and] how they’ve been able to be resilient, to bounce back and be ready to play the next day. We’re going to have to do it again. — an understatement by Dan Wilson on Seattle’s playoff hopes
GameTimes and Starting Pitchers
Monday, 7:10 PM CT: Bryce Miller (11-8, 3.06) vs. Hunter Brown (11-8, 3.57)
Tuesday, 7:10 PM CT: TBD vs. Framber Valdez (14-7, 2.85)
Wednesday, 1:10 PM CT: TBD vs. Yusei Kikuchi (9-9, 4.19)
Houston could be without Alvarez, who endured a right-knee contusion suffered in Sunday’s loss.
It’s pretty sore. Just when he slid, his weight on the knee and just the way it handled. … Hopefully we get some good news here. — Espada