Friday will kick off a three-game weekend series between AL West rivals when the Seattle Mariners travel to Houston to take on the Astros. At this point in the season, this has no implications regarding the division, as the Astros are up 14.5 games on the Mariners, who are in last place. At 50-32, the Astros are in third place in the American League, trailing only the Yankees and Twins. Hard to complain about that if you’re an Astros fan, with injuries to Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, and George Springer all at one point or another this season. The Mariners started 2019 off on a blazing first couple weeks, then won only seven games the entire month of May.
Probable Pitchers
For the Mariners, it looks like Tommy Milone will get the start as the opener. Milone will be making his eighth appearance this year, with this being his fifth start. So far this season, he is 1-2 with a 3.35 ERA. Milone is looking for the second victory of his 2019 campaign, with the first coming back on May 27.
He has definitely pitched well enough to get more than just one win, as he has not given up more than three runs in any game this season. His last outing, he went five innings and gave up three runs while striking out six but ended up taking the loss in an 8-4 final. Earlier in June, Milone went 5 1/3 innings and gave up only one run to this same Astros team, but took a no-decision in a game the Mariners lost 8-7.
Milone is having a bit of a renaissance this season. His K/9 is over 9 for the first time in his career, his BB/9 is less than his career average, and his WHIP is glistening at 0.96. If Milone keeps this up, he could be a great trade deadline acquisition for a contender.
For the Astros, Wade Miley will get the ball for the 17th start of his season. Thus far, he is 6-4 with a 3.51 ERA. Last time out, Miley gave up more than three runs for only the second time this season. He has been money for Houston, after signing a one-year, $4.55 million deal in the offseason.
Even with his last start against the Yankees looking rough in the box score — five innings, four runs, and four walks — he actually pitched really well. He took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, but when the fifth inning started, he couldn’t get an out, and the relief that came in for him let in a couple more of his baserunners. He avoided the loss, however, in a 7-5 Yankees win.
Now he gets to go back to Houston, where his numbers in 2019 are absolutely maddening. He has a 1.91 ERA in 42 innings with a batting average against of .207.
The Pick
It is almost impossible to pick the Mariners in any game, let alone against one of the best teams in the league. Milone may have good numbers so far, but I am not sure he gets out of Houston with those same good numbers. Take the Astros.
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