Houston at Seattle

Houston, we have a problem. The Astros have lost five in a row. They have been outscored by 19 runs and are giving up an average of 8.8 runs during this span. The Mariners are 6-1 in their last seven meetings against the Astros, including a 9-6 win over them last night. Houston is 1-6 on the road this season. Injuries have stripped away three starting pitchers for the Astros, including ace Hunter Brown and closer Josh Hader. Bryan Abreu has failed to step up in Hader's place, and the result is that Houston has the highest bullpen ERA in the majors at a scary 7.08. Lance McCullers Jr. was able to crack Houston's starting pitching rotation because of the many injuries. McCullers Jr. posted a 6.51 ERA with 1.6 home runs and 6.3 walks per nine innings allowed last season after missing the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons. Seattle starting pitcher Luis Castillo was far better at home last season, with a 2.60 ERA compared to a 4.70 road ERA. He has a 2.79 ERA this season. Seattle's bullpen has the third-lowest ERA in the majors at 2.47. Lay 1.5 runs on the runline with the Mariners.