Free MLB Pick: Mariners vs. Astros Odds
Looking for Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Free MLB playoff predictions? MLB betting sees the Mariners taking on the Astros on Thursday, October 13th, 2022 at Minute Maid Park. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball playoff matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Mariners-Astros free American League Divisional Series pick.
2022 MLB Playoff Handicapping
(0-1) Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros (1-0)
Date: Thursday, October 13th, 2022
Time: 3:37 PM ET
Venue: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX.
Projected Pitchers: Castillo (SEA), Valdez (HOU)
MLB Moneyline Odds: Mariners +135 / Astros -155
MLB run line Betting Odds: Mariners +1.5 (-175) / Yankees -1.5 (+150)
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: O/U: 6.5 (over -120)
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners squandered a golden opportunity to steal Game 1 in Houston, which the Astros won in walk-off fashion, 8–7.
Yordan Alvarez drove in the first two runs of the game for Houston after Seattle took a 4–0 lead; he doubled in the eighth and scored on Alex Bregman’s home run; then he hit a three-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning to sink Seattle.
Otherwise, it was basically all Seattle. The Mariners had 13 hits, including three from Ty France, and knocked Justin Verlander out of the game after four innings.
They will get a different look on Thursday against the left-hander Framber Valdez, who just faced Seattle twice this season.
Those two starts came consecutively at the end of July in the middle of Valdez’s 25-game quality start streak (at least six innings and no more than three earned runs allowed).
Valdez went 13.2 innings in those two starts but the Mariners hit him some — 13 hits and six earned runs. Each team won a game.
Houston Astros
So now the Astros go into Game 2 with the rust off and a 1–0 series lead.
The oddsmakers love Houston now that it pulled Game 1 out of its hat. And with Valdez on the mound at home, it’s easy to understand why.
Verlander put up better numbers but Valdez may just be the ace of this staff. As mentioned, he threw 25 straight quality starts, a shutout, and another complete game this season.
He finished the season with an ERA well under three and struck out nearly 200 hitters to just 67 walks. He already has loads of postseason experience. This guy is the real deal.
But the Astros are going to have to put up better at-bats in Game 2 than they did in Game 1, especially considering they get Seattle’s ace, Luis Castillo.
They didn’t see him in the regular season and he’s got some momentum going into this start with 7.1 shutout innings against Toronto in the Wild Card Series under his belt.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Mariners are 1-5 in their last 6 games following an off day.
- Astros are 6-1 in their last 7 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Over is 6-1-1 in Mariners last 8 overall.
- Head to Head: Mariners are 19-49 in the last 68 meetings.
- Head to Head: Mariners are 15-37 in the last 52 meetings in Houston.
- Head to Head: Over is 12-5 in the last 17 meetings in Houston.
Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros MLB Playoff Prediction:
With the long layoff over, Houston should be better at the plate as a team on Thursday.
It also took a big mental edge in Game 1, not only by coming back to win a game it had no business winning, but by getting to some of Seattle’s key relievers.
Bregman’s homer came off of Andres Munoz, the Mariners’ primary weapon out of the bullpen.
Houston also drove Paul Sewald from the game in his first save opportunity of the series and then Alvarez broke Robbie Ray’s spirit. He may well not play any role in this series after that.
Usually, when a team hits the opponent’s bullpen early in a series, it spells trouble for that opponent later on. Seattle only has so many arms to throw at the Astros once the starter is removed.
But it feels premature to write Seattle off. Castillo has obviously been tremendous but it’s the lineup that does it for me.
Everyone is having good at-bats and the middle of the lineup is especially hot.
The play may just be the over, even with the starting pitching matchup looking as strong on paper as it does.
Balls were flying in Minute Maid Park in Game 1 and it may well continue in Game 2, especially once both teams get into the bullpen.
4* Free MLB Playoffs Betting Pick: Over 6.5 (-120)
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