Mariners vs Astros Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 7 (9/7): MLB

Credit: photo by Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

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Preview

The Mariners are in Houston tonight to take on the Astros.  This is the 2nd game of their 3 game series.  The Astros roughed up the Mariners 11-2 lastnight and will look to do the same tonight. The Mariners had some success in their home series against Houston last week taking 2 of 3 in that series. They enter play 5.5 games behind the Astros for the top spot in the AL West  and 3 games back for a wildcard spot.  Houston enter plays atop the division with a comfortable 5 game lead. These are big games for both teams as Houston looks to further their lead while Seattle attempts to gain a few games back on the Astros and find a way into the playoffs.   

Pitching matchup

Mariners

Logan Gilbert (5-5, 5.14 ERA) will take the mound for the visiting Seattle Mariners.  Gilbert comes into this game with a 1.21 WHIP and 4.25 XFIP.  He boasts a nice 25.8% strikeout rate paired with a low 5.5% walk rate.  The young right hander has been decent this year but has been getting hit hard and has been succeptible to the long ball.  He had his way with this same Houston team in his most recent start, throwing 5 innings of shut out ball while striking out 4. He was tuned up a bit in the matchup prior against the Astros, going 4.2 innings, allowing 9 ER's and 2 hr's.  He will have his work cut out for him against one of baseball's best offenses. 

Astros

Jake Odorizzi (6-7, 4.32 ERA) will take the bump against the Mariners tonight.  He enters play with a 1.23 WHIP and 5.29 XFIP.  He sports a 20.2% strikeout rate paired with a high 8.6% walk rate. He has had some walk issues this year, especially against left handed hitters walking them at a 12.5% clip.  He has also allowed contact and power to both sides of the plate.  Odorizzi has faced this Mariners team in 2 of his last 3 starts coming into tonight.  He has been solid in both starts throwing 10.2 innings, striking out 15 hitters, walking 6, and and only allowing 2 ER's.  He will once again look to get through this Mariners offense with ease.  

Prediction

Both these pitchers come into this one off nice outtings against each other. I don't expect that trend to continue tonight. We have 2 flyball pitchers that have been hit hard and have been succeptible to the long ball. I'll bank on both teams being able to score some runs in this game and I'll look to target the total. 

PICK: Over 8.5 (-115)

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