Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros 9/15/2017 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview

The SEATTLE and the HOUSTON will both be gunning for a victory on 9/15/2017 at 8:10 PM when they meet in a game matchup.

GAME: Seattle Mariners (74-73) at Houston Astros (88-58)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 – 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (12-3, 2.78 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (11-7, 3.86)
LINE: -120
PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Astros 4

Oddsmakers currently have the HOUSTON listed as -120 point favorites versus the SEATTLE, while the game’s total is sitting at 8.5.

James Paxton returns to the mound at a good time for the Seattle Mariners as they open a three-game series against the host Houston Astros on Friday. Paxton takes the ball after a 36-day absence due to a pectoral injury as he aims to help Seattle win its fourth consecutive contest.

Paxton won seven straight decisions prior to getting hurt against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 10, and the Mariners are glad to get him back as they sit 3 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the American League’s second wild-card spot. “It’s important baseball right now, we’re right there,” Paxton told reporters. “We just need to play really strong baseball to end this thing off and get where we want to get to. I’m excited to be a part of it.” Seattle won the final three contests of a four-game set with Texas by a cumulative 28-8 score and Nelson Cruz went 4-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs and four runs scored in Thursday’s 10-4 victory. Houston’s Yuli Gurriel recorded three hits in a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday to reduce the club’s magic number to clinch the AL West to three.

Paxton will be limited to approximately 50 pitches as Seattle doesn’t want to overextend him. The 28-year-old was dominating hitters prior to his injury, striking out 47 against three walks over his final six starts. Paxton is 2-0 with a 0.45 ERA in three starts against Houston this season and 3-2 with a 2.86 ERA in seven career turns.

Morton struck out 17 over 10 innings in his last two outings as he split the decisions. The 33-year-old has set a personal best for victories this season and has fared well at home, going 8-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 14 turns. Morton never faced Seattle prior to this season but is 0-2 with a 4.58 ERA in three starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros OF Jake Marisnick (thumb) will undergo surgery Friday and be sidelined six-to-eight weeks.

2. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager contributed three homers and nine RBIs in the series versus Texas and has gone deep six times during his 11-game hitting streak.

3. Houston RHP Mike Fiers was suspended five games – the discipline started Thursday – for throwing a pitch near the head of Los Angeles Angels INF Luis Valbuena on Wednesday.

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