Just getting the 5-4 win on Saturday was a minor success for Seattle, who is 18-6 this month with five of those losses coming against the Astros. Houston took the first two games of this series 4-2 and 11-1 and got a sweep in Seattle right out of the All-Star break, but the Mariners hope they have cracked the code with their most recent win.
Houston is a -136 favorite in the July 31st Mariners at Astros betting matchup after being -135, -184, and -195. Houston is 11-7 in the head to head series this season, and have an 11 game lead over Seattle in the AL West. The M’s got the win at +178 on Saturday and are +116 for the finale.
Did Seattle Break the Slide?
Seattle had a great opportunity to make up a double-digit deficit in the AL West with 7 games against the division leader coming out of the All-Star game. The M’s went into the break on a 14-game win streak, but are just 1-5 vs. Houston so far in the second half.
Saturday’s win is a reason for optimism though, with the Mariners going up 3-0 in the 1st inning but not scoring again until the top of the 9th to get the 5-4 victory. Pinch hitter Abraham Toro delivered a 2-out, 2-run single in the final frame and Paul Sewald closed the door with a perfect bottom of the 9th.
Chris Flexen pitched well on Saturday going 5.1 IP giving up just 3 hits. Flexen didn’t allow a hit until the 5th, but that was an Aldemys Diaz solo HR. George Kirby (2-3, 3.50 ERA) will try to follow up that performance when he gets the ball in the July 31st Mariners at Astros betting matchup.
Houston Tries to Avoid the Split
The Astros were one out away from their sixth straight win over the Mariners past the All-Star break, but they still desperately want three of four to push their lead to a dozen in the AL West.
Houston has outhit Seattle 30-19 so far this weekend. Alex Bregman has had a nice series going 5-11 with a HR, Yordan Alvarez was 3-3 with a HR in Saturday’s win, and Aledmys Diaz has 3 HR in his last 8 AB. Sunday’s meeting will be the first time the Astros have faced Seattle’s Kirby.
Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 4.25 ERA) takes the ball for the second time since the All-Star break, hoping for better results than his 6ER allowed over 5.0 IP in a 7-5 loss to the A’s as -205 favorites. Odorizzi has two starts against Seattle this season, giving up 4ER over 4.1 IP on April 15th and throwing 6.2 IP of shutout ball on May 2nd.
Free July 31st Mariners at Astros Betting Pick
69% of the betting public likes the Astros on Sunday, and they have gone 43-19 in the last 62 head to head games with the Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Seattle has been on a nice run, but they have a complex against the Astros so far in the second half save for Saturday’s win. Houston seems to be the play here.
Free Pick: Astros -136
