The Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros will square off Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Game 2 of a best-of-5 AL Division Series. First pitch is scheduled for 3:37 p.m. ET (TBS). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Mariners vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Series: Astros lead 1-0; they won the regular-season series 12-7
The Mariners suffered a heartbreaking loss in Game 1 on Tuesday as SP Robbie Ray gave up a walk-off HR to OF Yordan Alvarez to erase a 4-run deficit in the later innings for the Astros. Seattle was coming off of an impressive comeback win over the Toronto Blue Jays in an AL Wild Card Series, so Tuesday’s loss could be demoralizing.
Despite the Astros getting a forgettable outing from SP Justin Verlander (6 ER in 4 IP), they still managed to come away with an 8-7 victory at home thanks to Alvarez’s heroics in the 9th inning. Houston looks to take a 2-0 lead heading to Seattle for Game 3.
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Mariners at Astros projected starters
RHP Luis Castillo vs. LHP Framber Valdez
Castillo (8-6, 2.99 ERA) makes his 27th start (13th with the Mariners). He has a 1.08 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 10 K/9 in 150 1/3 IP.
- Started Game 1 of the Wild Card Series vs. Blue Jays: 7 1/3 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
- The Mariners have gone 7-5 in his first 12 starts with the team
Valdez (17-6, 2.82 ERA) makes his 32nd start. He has a 1.16 WHIP, 3 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 201 1/3 IP.
- Has been credited with the win in 8 of his last 11 starts
- July 30 vs. Mariners: 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Mariners at Astros odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Mariners +133 (bet $100 to win $133) | Astros -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Mariners +1.5 (-165) | Astros -1.5 (+127)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: -101)
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Mariners at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Mariners 4
Moneyline
I’ll just go ahead and PASS on the moneyline in this game as I believe the Astros will jump out to a 2-0 lead in the series. Even though I think Houston wins, the odds aren’t worth taking straight up.
Run line/Against the spread
ASTROS -1.5 (+127) is an enticing wager with it being plus odds for them to win by multiple runs at home. Houston has won by 2-plus runs over Seattle in 10 of its 13 wins against the Mariners this season.
You can take ASTROS -0.5 FIRST 5 INNINGS (-105) as an alternative if you don’t believe they’ll win Thursday by multiple runs.
Over/Under
No pitcher is safe in this series if Verlander is giving up 6 ER in a game. Even with 2 stud pitchers taking the mound Thursday, both teams are swinging hot bats right now.
OVER 6.5 (-120) is the ideal choice in this game after the Mariners and Astros combined for 15 runs in Game 1. The Over is 12-5 in the last 17 meetings in Houston.
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