Houston Gets Their Run Started
Seattle made short work of the Blue Jays in Toronto during the wild card round, picking up a 4-0 and a 10-9 win in a hostile environment to get the sweep. The stakes get amped up a bit in the Mariners Astros game 1 matchup as Houston sends Justin Verlander to the mound.
Houston’s Verlander is the AL Cy Young favorite after his 18-4, 1.75 ERA campaign in 2022. The 39-year-old is healthy and aging like a fine wine, and playoff starts are just another game for the veteran. Verlander has 30 postseason starts on his resume, going 14-11 with a 3.40 ERA. He was out recovering from Tommy John surgery during Houston’s run to the WS last season, so he’s likely ready to get the ball in game 1.
Seattle’s offense was clicking in the wild card round in Toronto, scoring 14 runs on 20 hits in two games. C Carl Raleigh hit a HR in game 1 and was 3-4 in the clincher while Eugenio Suarez had a couple hits in both games. Facing Verlander is a different animal though, with Raleigh going 1-14 and Suarez 2-20 in their careers vs. the Houston starter.
Luis Castillo and Robbie Ray were solid in their starts for Seattle vs Toronto, but now Logan Gilbert (13-6, 3.20 ERA) gets his first taste of postseason baseball. Gilbert had a 2.00 ERA in September, and was productive against the Astros this season going 2-1 with a 2.52 ERA.
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Mariners(+196)| Astros (-215) | 6.5 | Mariners +1.5(-120) |Astros -1.5 (+100) |
| Bovada | Mariners(+180)| Astros (-220) | 6.5 | Mariners +1.5(-120) |Astros -1.5 (+100) |
| BetUS | Mariners(+185)| Astros (-215) | 6.5 | Mariners +1.5(-120) |Astros -1.5 (+100) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Mariners(+196)| Astros (-215) | 6.5 | Mariners +1.5(-119) |Astros -1.5 (+101) |
| Pinnacle | Mariners(+195)| Astros (-216) | 6.5 | Mariners +1.5(-116) |Astros -1.5 (+105) |
| MyBookie | Mariners(+178)| Astros (-222) | 6.5 | Mariners +1.5(-117) |Astros -1.5 (+103) |
Mariners Astros Game 1 Prediction
Both teams have some horses in their respective lineups, and Houston is a lofty favorite here being at home and well rested. There looked like something special brewing with the Mariners last series against Toronto however, and even though Seattle was just 7-12 in the head to head series they are worth a play getting the +1.5 runs.
Mariners 4 – Astros 3
