The Houston Astros (+275 to win the World Series) just got stronger with the addition of Zack Greinke at the trade deadline. As for the Seattle Mariners, they are going nowhere this season and are merely waiting for everything to end before diving into an intriguing fall and winter. Will the Astros destroy Seattle? Or will the Mariners (+200000 to win the National League pennant) shock the Astros?
Starters: Yusei Kikuchi (4-7, 5.21 ERA) vs. Wade Miley (9-4, 3.06 ERA)
Pitching:
Kikuchi wasn’t able to collect a win in four starts last July, but he was solid in his most recent mound duty, as picked up a no-decision after allowing just two earned runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings of a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Jul. 26. Kikuchi allowed three earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts in a 6-5 road loss to the Astros last Jun. 29. Miley went 3-0 with a 2.013 ERA in five starts in July. Back during a Jun. 28 start at home against the Mariners, Miley gave up an earned run on three hits in a 2-1 victory. He is 4-1 with a 1.92 ERA in nine home starts this season.
Hitting
Domingo Santana is 4-for-7 in career vs. Miley.
George Springer is 2-for-3 this season vs. Kikuchi.
Prediction:
Astros win, 5-2.
GAME 2
Starters: Marco Gonzales (12-8, 4.21 ERA) vs.TBA
Pitching:
Gonzales is among the few bright spots on the Mariners’ roster, especially of late, having collected a 3-1 record and a 3.54 ERA over his past four starts. He is 5-4 with a 3.62 ERA in 11 road starts this 2019. The Astros have the fourth best starters ERA in the majors with a 3.75 clip. The Astros’ bullpen are also fourth overall in the MLB with a 3.87 ERA.
Hitting
Tim Beckham is batting .306 since the All-Star Break, as of this writing.
Alex Bregman is 6-for-11 in career vs. Gonzales.
Prediction:
Astros win, 6-3.
GAME 3
Starters: Tommy Milone (1-5, 4.39 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander (14-4, 2.73 ERA)
Pitching:
Milone picked up a no-decision in his last start, when he allowed two earned runs on six hits in five innings of a 3-2 home win over the Tigers on Jul. 28. He’s surrendered at least five earned runs in three of his past five starts. However, in his Ju, 28 start at Minute Maid Park, Milone shut out the Astros for five innings, albeit in a 2-1 loss. Verlander impressed as usual in his last start, allowing zero runs on just two hits with 1 strikeouts in a 2-0 road win over the Cleveland Indians on Jul. 30. He has not allowed a run in three of his past five starts.
Hitting
Daniel Vogelbach is 4-for-7 in career vs. Verlander.
Alex Bregman is 3-for-5 with a homer in career vs. Milone.
