Astros at Mariners 8/1/18 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Houston Astros play the third game of their current series on the road against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Houston has lost five straight after falling to the Mariners on Monday 2-0. The Astros are playing without their top hitter Jose Altuve who is on the disabled list with a bad knee. Houston continues to lead the American League West by three games over the Mariners.

Seattle won its second straight in its win over the Astros as James Paxton scattered three hits, including two infield hits, across seven innings, while striking out eight and not walking a batter. Alex Colome pitched the eighth and Edwin Diaz the ninth to record save No. 40 for the season. A two-run double in the sixth by Nelson Cruz was the only scoring of the game. In Jose Altuve’s absence, Yuli Gurriel leads Houston with a .289 batting average. Alex Bregman leads Houston in home runs with 22 and in RBIs with 71. Houston has a team batting average of .256 while opposing hitters are averaging .213 at the plate against Astros pitching. On Wednesday, the Astros will send Dallas Keuchel to the mound. The lefthander this season is 8-9 with an ERA of 3.60, 103 Ks and 36 BBs.

Jean Segura leads Seattle with a .316 batting average and a team high 128 hits. Nelson Cruz is the Seattle leader in home runs with 25, while Mitch Haniger leads in RBIs with 68. Seattle has a team batting average of .256, while opposing hitters are averaging .248 at the plate against Mariners pitching. On Wednesday, the Mariners will send Wade LeBlanc to the mound. The left-hander this season is 6-1 with an ERA of 3.51, 82 Ks and 22 BBs.