Mariners vs. Astros: Predictions, Odds, Best Bet, Starting Lineups (8/18/23)

The Mariners and the Astros are squaring off for the third time this season and the second time at Minute Maid Park. Seattle is coming off a 3-1 series win over the Royals and Houston is on a three-series win streak, coming in at third and second in the AL West, respectively. Read on for everything to know about this Friday night AL West showdown including odds, predictions, matchups, and more.

Mariners vs. Astros Prediction

Mariners vs. Astros Prediction: Astros ML

The Astros are playing very good baseball right now. The team is batting .264 with a.800 OPS in the month of August with Jose Altuve and Kyle Tucker leading the way. This combo has .418 and .271 August batting averages, respectively. Kyle Tucker is consistently clutch for this team, leading the team in all batting categories with a .297 batting average, 24 home runs, 92 RBIs, a .377 OBP, and 131 hits. He and Altuve are punishing teams right now.

Their pitching staff is holding down the fort otherwise with a 3.50 ERA and .210 OBA in the month. After their slump in June, they’ve found their rhythm again.

The Mariners are coming off a messy series against the Royals that saw them make several uncharacteristic errors at critical moments. Despite taking early leads, these mistakes almost cost them the game twice.

That being said, they’ve got a few hot hitters in their lineup right now that stand to test J.P. France and his unblemished August record. Julio Rodriguez, Ty France, and Teoscar Hernandez are all batting over .325 in August with a combined 32 RBIs and 52 hits. The team is batting .265 in August.

Seattle is 2-0 so far in their two series against Houston this year, but as the season continues, they’ve become much less convincing in their deservingness of a playoff spot. That being said, these two teams usually put on a good show and they’re both hitting extremely well which should make things interesting. Take Houston to win game one, but Seattle to keep it a game.

Mariners vs. Astros Odds

The Mariners (+130) enter as road underdogs in this matchup against the Astros (-155). The over/under is 9 runs and if you are interested in betting the run line, you can get the Mariners +1.5 at -162 or the Astros -1.5 at +136.

Mariners vs. Astros Key Matchups

Let’s take a look at the key matchups that could decide Mariners vs. Astros:

Jose Altuve vs. Bryce Miller

Altuve is on an absolute tear entering this game. In the seven days proceeding tonight’s matchup, he is batting .520/.625/.800. He has one strikeout over that same period. Back that up to the entire month of August and he’s still batting .418/.508/.618. The longtime veteran will be facing rookie Bryce Miller on the mound.

Miller has had a mixed bag of production this season but is dominant against opposing righty bats. Opposing right-handed batters are hitting .197 against Miller. To make this matchup even more interesting, Miller pitched six scoreless innings in his last outing against Houston, allowing just two hits and an OBA of .150. Leadoff hitters like Altuve are batting .213 against him.

J.P. France vs. Mariners righty bats

Julio Rodriguez is on fire right now, batting .328/.377/.531 in August with seven doubles and 21 RBIs. In yesterday’s game alone he went five for five with five RBIs, which includes a three-run home run to secure the series win for the Ms. He’s in good company alongside Ty France who’s 1.127 OPS and 10 RBIs in August helped them secure an eight-game win streak at the beginning of the month. Teoscar Hernandez is also batting above .300 this month. All three of them are right-handed hitters.

J.P. France has had a really sharp August at 2-0 with 1.74 ERA and.184 OBA. However, he is less potent against right-handed batters, forfeiting a .254/.305/.429 slash line and nine of his 10 home runs to opposing right-handed hitters. He is facing a predominantly right-handed lineup that should test him and make for a good battle.

Mariners vs. Astros Starting Lineups

Mariners Starting Lineup

CF Julio Rodriguez R
3B Eugenio Suarez R
1B Ty France R
C Cal Raleigh S
RF Teoscar Hernandez R
LF Cade Marlowe L
DH Mike Ford L
SS Jose Caballero R
2B Josh Rojas L

Astros Starting Lineup

2B Jose Altuve R
3B Alex Bregman R
LF Yordan Alvarez L
DH Yainer Diaz R
1B Jon Singleton L
RF Chas McCormick R
SS Jeremy Pena R
CF Mauricio Dubon R
C Martin Maldonado R