The Seattle Mariners visit the Houston Astros Friday for their season opener at Minute Maid Park with a 9:10 p.m. ET first pitch. We analyze the Mariners-Astros MLB betting odds and lines, with MLB betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Mariners at Astros: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Marco Gonzales vs. RHP Justin Verlander
Gonzales (2019): 16-13, 3.99 ERA, 147 K, 56 BB
- Gonzales struggled against Houston in 2019, going 0-2 in four starts with a 5.66 ERA, 10 strikeouts and 12 walks in 20 2/3 innings.
- Seven Astros expected to be in the lineup have a batting average of at least .333 against Gonzales. Five hit at least .400 against him.
Verlander (2019): 21-6, 2.58 ERA, 300 K, 42 BB
- Verlander went 3-0 against the Mariners in five starts with an ERA of 2.97, while striking out 40 batters in 30 1/3 innings.
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Mariners at Astros: Key injuries
Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.
Mariners
- OF Mitch Haniger (groin) out indefinitely
- RP Yoshihisa Hirano (illness) out indefinitely
- C Tom Murphy (foot) out indefinitely
Astros
- 2B Jose Altuve (leg) probable
- OF Yordan Alvarez (knee) out indefinitely
Mariners at Astros: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Astros 7, Mariners 4
Moneyline (ML)
Houston is a heavy favorite at -294, as a 2020 World Series favorite against a Mariners team not expected to compete in 2020. Verlander continues to dominate. There isn’t any value, but this is a SURE PLAY taking the ASTROS (-294).
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Houston is favored at -2.5 (+105) on the run line. They covered more than 53% of their games in 2019, the fifth-highest rate in the majors. With this lopsided pitching matchup, don’t overthink it. Take the ASTROS -2.5 (+105) to win by at least a three-run margin.
Over/Under (O/U)
The total is set at 8.5 runs. Seattle’s games hit the Over more than 55% of the time last season. Being the first game of the year, batters will be ramped up, and with how the Astros hitters did against Gonzales in 2019, Houston could come close to hitting the Over all by itself. Take the OVER 8.5 (-110).
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