MLB Predictions: M’s vs Astros Lines
The Houston Astros host the Seattle Mariners on Monday evening in the opening game of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park. The Mariners come to town playing some good baseball, winning each of their last three series, and seven of nine games overall.
Seattle Mariners (44-38) at Houston Astros (36-47)
Date: Monday, June 30, 2014
Time: 8:10 PM ET
Venue: Minute Maid Park
City: Houston, Texas
O/U Odds: 7
Money Line: Houston -105, Seattle -105
Pitching Matchup: RH Taijuan Walker (0-0, 0.00 ERA) at RH Collin McHugh (4-6, 2.86 ERA)
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As for the Astros, they’re coming off a big series win over the Detroit Tigers and have won three of their last four games overall.
Taijuan Walker will get his first start of the year. A top pitching prospect, Walker was considered a strong breakout candidate, but an injury has derailed his season thus far, but he’ll hope to get his season going the right way against a team he’s very familiar with.
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Monday’s start will be the fourth of Walker’s young career, and his third against the Astros. In those two starts against the Astros last season, Walker allowed three runs, two of them earned, over 10 innings of work, allowing seven hits while striking out 10 and walking two.
In the minors, Walker went 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA, striking out 46 batters in 40 innings over eight starts before he was recalled to the big club.
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Walker will look to continue the trend of strong outings from Mariners starts. The team is 10-4 with a 2.40 ERA since June 15. Things were really rolling for the Mariners on Sunday, when Felix Hernandez and Fernando Rodney combined for a one-hitter on Sunday in a 3-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.
Collin McHugh counters for the Astros. He’s been a tough-luck loser quite often this season. He’s taken the loss in each of his last three starts, though the team back him with a total just one run in those three outings. He has a 2.96 ERA in the month of June while limiting opposing hitters to a .173 batting average, striking out 31 in 27 ⅓ innings.
The Astros have been hitting the ball well lately, and will look to give Walker a rude opening to his season. McHugh hasn’t had a lot of success in the win column this season, but he’s pitched well, and his should change eventually.
Additionally, these teams are going to see a total installed for this game as if a pitcher’s duel were expected in this one. While McHugh has had a lot of success thus far, a regression is certainly in order. His counterpart, Walker, hasn’t pitched all year, so to expect him to hit the ground running is asking a little much.
The Astros are 4-1 in their last five games against American League West opponents.
The over is 6-2 in the Astros’ last eight games as a favorite.
The play: Houston -105, Over 7
