With the unenviable task of punching their way out of the corner against one of the major leagues’ heavyweights, the Seattle Mariners will play host to the Houston Astros on Saturday.
The game, which will take place at T-Mobile Park, begins at 4:07 p.m. The Mariners will be hosting their first playoff matchup in over two decades, but it feels like it has more of a chance to be a funeral than it does a party.
The Astros won more games (106) than anyone in the American League this regular season. In fact, they came out on top of more contests than any other crew but the Los Angeles Dodgers, who claimed 111 victories this year.
AL Championship Series
Houston has rode that wave of momentum into this divisional playoff series. Despite facing deficits in the initial two clashes, they dug themselves out of holes at home to come within a game of the AL Championship Series.
Seattle sent out a fantastic pitcher in Luis Castillo on Thursday, but the big bat of Yordan Alvarez made its impact known once more. His two-run blast off of the Mariners’ ace in the sixth inning put the Astros up.
His start this October seems to be a rebound from his showing in last year’s World Series when he turned in a disappointing .100 batting average and struck out six times.
And his confidence just keeps growing. In the series opener, with his team down to its last shot, he belted a three-run walk-off dinger. He recorded 37 homers in the regular season, too.
Best-of-Five Slate Heads
As the best-of-five slate heads to the Pacific Northwest, Seattle center fielder Julio Rodriguez and first baseman Ty France will aim to start the comeback.
Through three games, though, third baseman Eugenio Suarez has been the team’s offensive engine. He notched a .462 average over 13 plate appearances, scoring four runs and driving in another three. Half of his six hits went for extra bases, including one long ball.
Catcher Cal Raleigh, shortstop J.P. Crawford, and first baseman Carlos Santana have gone yard since the start of the playoffs, as well.
We should take a good look at what the betting numbers are before pouring any money in. Here are the Mariners vs Astros odds.
Mariners vs. Astros Odds Breakdown
The visiting Astros are favored on the run line in this one, listed at +152 to cover -1.5. Seattle is marked down at -184 to keep the game within two runs.
On the moneyline, Houston is -110, while the Mariners are -106. The total is set at seven runs, with the over being -115 and the under -105 at the time of this writing.
With these Mariners vs Astros odds, the bookmakers obviously think this one will stay close. The drama in the first two reinforce that belief.
Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Betting Preview
George Kirby as Starter
George Kirby will take the ball on the mound for the home team, which will need a solid pitching performance to stretch the set to a fourth matchup.
Kirby went 8-5 over this summer and had a 3.39 ERA. He has made an appearance this postseason, going for an inning against Toronto last Saturday. He didn’t allow any hits or runs, walked one, and struck one out, too.
Lance McCullers Jr. as Starter
His counterpart will be Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr., a right-hander who turned in a 4-2 mark. He had a 2.27 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.
This will be his 2022 postseason debut. He last took the hill against Philadelphia on Oct. 3, working for six frames and allowing only one run.
Having considered the offenses in this one and seen the Mariners vs Astros odds, it’s time to choose what to wager on.
Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Betting Preview
Seattle is known for its passionate sports fans. Seahawks supporters fill their stadium and scream at the top of their lungs for most — if not all — of the game.
The city has gone a generation without seeing a postseason baseball game, a shame in itself. If only this one was under better circumstances.
Who to Bet On?
The Mariners kept it close and had their chances in the first two clashes. Against a team the caliber of Houston’s, you have to make the most of those.
Unfortunately, it’s probably too late for Seattle. The Astros will cover the spread in this one and punch their ticket to the ALCS, where they’ll wait for the New York Yankees or Cleveland Guardians.
To make yourself some money, make sure to go with Houston -1.5 while betting today.
MLB Pick: Astros +1.5 (-230)
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