Astros vs. Mariners Free Pick July 20

The Astros took care of Seattle 3-0 Friday night.  Houston has now won six of their last ten games while Seattle has won just four overall. The Mariners are 6-4 in this series but Houston is looking for its third straight victory against the Mariners Saturday night.

Hunter Brown worked around trouble while allowing four hits in six innings, Yainer Diaz delivered the big blow with a two-run single and the Astros moved into a tie for first place in the AL West with a 3-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

“We have clawed our way through a very difficult stretch early in the season and find ourselves tied in first place — just proud of that group," Houston manager Joe Espada said. "They have never stopped fighting. They never stopped believing. And this is far from over but just to find ourselves in this position, it feels great.”

MLB Power Rankings

Houston Astros (Ranked 10)

"You never really thought the Astros were out of it, did you? They sure are in the middle of everything now, reclaiming their spot as one of the scariest teams in the American League. Remember, this is a team going for its eighth ALCS in a row. They’re not going to go away. Someone’s going to have to beat them."

Seattle Mariners (Ranked 9)

"The Mariners didn’t pull away from the Astros and Rangers when they had the chance, ensuring this is going to be a fight until the end. It certainly helps that Julio Rodríguez looks like he’s working his way back to his MVP-caliber self."

Rays Pitching

Taj Bradley (4-4, 2.90 ERA)

The total could be low enough here as none of the last five games Bradley has started in have resulted in more than 7 runs being scored.  The total in this series tends to fall between 8 and 8.5 with half of the last ten resulting in a total of 9 or higher.

Bradley has had limited exposure to this Yankees roster with 5 hits in 17 at bats. All five of those hits came courtesy of Alex Verdugo, who has not had the best season.

Yankees Pitching

Nestor Cortes (4-8, 3.67 ERA)

In 135 at bats, Cortes has permitted 11 home runs when facing this Rays group. Yandy Diaz is 14 for 23 against him with 3 home runs and 8 RBI's (.424)

Nestor Cortes allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings and took the loss against the Rays his last start. That game resulted in nine runs scored.

Astros Pitching

Framber Valdez (8-5, 3.66 ERA)

Seattle Mariners career statistics vs. Framber Valdez are .294 with 19 RBIs in 190 at bats.

Jorge Polanco has been especially solid against him with 8 hits but just one RBI.  He has stayed under .200 this season and probably won't present much of a threat. J.P. Crawford is sitting at .209 on the season and has four RBI's versus Valdez. He also has one of the four homers against him.

Valdez allowed one earned run on six hits while striking out 10 to earn the win against the Marlins and is looking for his third consecutive win coming into Friday's game.

Mariners Pitching

George Kirby (7-7, 3.29 ERA)

Kirby has only permitted 18 hits off of 95 at bats.  They only have 2 RBIs and zero home runs against Kirby.

Kirby struck out seven and was charged with two runs (one earned) over six innings in a loss to the Angels and does not have a win in his last three starts. 

Mariners are our play for today.