Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros: ALDS Preview

There is a lot of bad blood between these two teams, and they are about to meet up in the American League Divisional Series for the first time. The Mariners are 72-118 against the Astros, dating back to the early 2000s. However, this year feels a little different. Although the Astros still continued to win a majority of the head-to-head games in the regular season, a majority of them were closer than they have been in years past. This season, the Mariners took seven of the 19 games as well.

Needless to say, the Mariners will be in familiar territory in a new environment. However, the Mariners are coming off a 10-9 comeback victory after being down 8-1 to win game 2, this clubhouse has a lot of momentum on their side, and hope to keep it like that for this series.

GAME ONE STARTERS

Heading into Game one, the Astros have a slight edge when it comes to experience. That experience will stem from their Game One Starter, who has pitched absolutely phenomenal after Tommy John surgery.

Houston ASTROS – Justin Verlander

Verlander is a 17-year veteran who has racked up Nine All-Star appearances, an ALCS MVP, an MVP, Triple Crown, ERA Title, and two Cy Young awards. He is potentially having his best season, just a year removed from TJ. This season, he is pitching to an 18-4 record, with a 1.75 ERA across 28 starts. In those starts, he has amassed 185 strikeouts across 175 innings. He has not pitched a playoff game in almost three years, but is favored to win his third Cy Young.

“Yeah, I’m excited,” he said. “I know what the atmosphere is going to be like. This crowd here’s always great, especially in the playoffs. So hopefully we can feed off that, and just try to continue to pitch like I have all season.”

In six starts against the Mariners this season, Verlander went 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA.

“They’re a really good team,” he said. “They present a lot of difficulties. Their pitching staff is really good. Their lineup is really good. The Astros never give in, as you saw in the series against Toronto. They grind out at-bats. They don’t make it easy. Obviously, they’re playing good baseball right now.”

Seattle Mariners – Logan Gilbert

The sophomore pitcher took a big step forward following his rookie campaign. In just one year, he increased his win total from 6 to 13. As well as lowered his ERA from 4.68 to 3.20. Although he does not have the accolades that Verlander has, Gilbert looked like a potential ace this season.

“It’s a dream come true,” Gilbert said Monday at Minute Maid Park. “I have watched these games since I was little and now we are here. I was excited thinking maybe I might be throwing in Toronto, just waiting and getting a little antsy because I want to be out there, and now finally getting my turn, it’s really special. It’s something to embrace, take it all in for a second. It’s a big deal to be here. This entire team has earned it.”

“I don’t think they are going to see anything different, but they are going to see a guy pitching in the biggest game of his life who I think rises to the occasion and elevates his game on those days. I think they are going to see the best of Walter.”

MARINERS

They have also not announced who will pitch Thursday in Game 2 or Saturday in Game 3, but in his clubhouse interview following the clinching win, Saturday in Toronto, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto indicated it could be Luis Castillo as expected in Game 2 and George Kirby in Game 3. Castillo earned the win in the first game in Toronto, while Kirby picked up the save in one inning pitched Saturday in his first MLB relief appearance.

“We have a chance to go Logan and Luis Castillo in Games 1 and 2 in the series in Houston. You couldn’t really hope for more,” Dipoto said. “And George should have plenty of rest by the time we get teed up and back to Seattle.”

After that, the Mariners could go to Ray or they could go back to Gilbert with 6 days in between Game one and Game four. This also could set up Castillo to go on short rest in Game 5. Servais would be able to use Ray and Gonzales out of the bullpen.

Expect manager Scott Servais to roll out a similar lineup to those he compiled during the Wild Card Series in Toronto, which featured slugging catcher Cal Raleigh batting cleanup.

1. Julio Rodríguez, CF
2. Ty France, 1B
3. Eugenio Suárez, 3B
4. Cal Raleigh, C
5. Mitch Haniger, RF
6. Carlos Santana, DH
7. Jarred Kelenic, LF
8. Adam Frazier, 2B
9. J.P. Crawford, SS

ASTROS

The Astros also haven’t announced who will start Game 2 or Game 3. In his media session Monday, Houston manager Dusty Baker revealed that there was an illness making its way through the clubhouse and he wanted to check in with everyone Tuesday before making the announcement. It is assumed that if all is well, Framber Valdez will start Game 2 and Lance McCullers Game 3. Justin Verlander will match up against Gilbert in Game 1.

Jeremy Peña hit second for much of the final month of the regular season, and it seems to be the spot in the order in which he’s the most comfortable. So Baker could roll something out similar to this:

1. Jose Altuve, 2B
2. Jeremy Peña, SS
3. Yordan Alvarez, LF
4. Alex Bregman, 3B
5. Kyle Tucker, RF
6. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
7. Trey Mancini, DH
8. Chas McCormick, CF
9. Martín Maldonado, C

Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros Conclusion

This may be the biggest rivalry seen in the playoffs in quite some time. Now, that the two teams are healthy, they seem to match up on paper, with the Astros having the experience. This matchup will feature two of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball and two lineups that never give up.

Players to watch:

Mariners – Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez

Astros – Yuli Gurriel, Jeremy Pena

When is the game and how can I watch it?

Game 1: Tuesday, 2:30 p.m. CT/12:30 PT on TBS
Game 2: Thursday, 2:30 p.m. CT/12:30 PT on TBS
Game 3: Oct. 15, TBS
Game 4 (if necessary): Oct. 16, TBS
Game 5 (if necessary): Oct. 17, TBS

TL//DR: Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros

Get the latest sports news via Fantom Sports Industries. Follow us on twitter via @Fantom_sports. Like us on Facebook via Fantom Sports Industries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel via Fantom Sports. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Shop Fantom Sports Industries Merch.

Invest in your favorite athletes like stocks with “Prediction Strike!” Use code FANTOM when you sign up