Astros at Mariners 8/20/18 - MLB Picks & Predictions

On Monday, the Houston Astros open a three-game series on the road against American League West rivals the Seattle Mariners. The Astros lost for the second straight time and seventh in the last eight on Saturday falling to the Oakland A’s 7-1. Houston is now tied with Oakland for the AL West lead and 3 ½ games in front of third place Seattle. As recently as June 18 the Astros held a 12-game lead over the A’s.

Seattle won on Saturday night in one of the strangest scenarios as the Mariners were the recipients of a balk called against Dodgers pitcher Dylan Floro that brought home the winning running for Seattle in the 5-4 victory in the 10th inning with one out. Three of Seattle’s runs came on a first inning three-run home run off the bat of Kyle Seager. Yuli Gurriel leads Houston with a .281 batting average. Alex Bregman leads the Astros in home runs with 23 and in RBIs with 75. Houston has a team batting average of .253 while opposing hitters are averaging .216 at the plate against Astros pitching. On Monday, the Astros will send Gerrit Cole to the mound. The right-hander this season is 11-5 with an ERA of 2.71, 219 Ks and 50 BBs.

Jean Segura, who is currently on the paternity list, is leading Seattle with a .314 batting average and a team high 148 hits. Nelson Cruz is the Seattle leader in home runs with 30. Mitch Haniger leads in RBIs with 78. Seattle has a team batting average of .255, while opposing hitters are averaging .252 at the plate against Mariners pitching. On Sunday, the Mariners will send Felix Hernandez to the mound. The right-hander this season is 8-11 with an ERA of 5.62, 101 Ks and 48 BBs.