Houston @ Seattle preview
Safeco Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 17, 2007 ) Seattle 3, Houston 10
The last time Philip Humber visited the Emerald City, he tossed a gem. But at the rate the Houston Astros are hitting, they may need a similar performance from him on Monday when they hit the road for the first time against the Seattle Mariners. As a member of the Chicago White Sox last season, Humber recorded the 21st perfect game in major league history. However, his new team has managed to score nine runs during its five-game losing streak, logging 61 strikeouts over that span.
The Mariners will welcome the struggling Astros after dropping four of their last five on the road, including a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Michael Morse and Kendrys Morales each homered for Seattle, but the Mariners went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position for the second straight game. Monday will be the first of 10 straight home games for Seattle after going 3-4 in two road series to open the season.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet (Houston), Root Sports (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Philip Humber (0-1, 1.59 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (0-1, 9.00)
Humber gets the ball in the Astros' first road game of the season after allowing one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings on Wednesday against Texas, lowering his ERA against American League West teams to 2.80 in 70 2/3 innings. After posting his perfect game, Humber made one brief relief appearance for the White Sox on Aug. 24 against the Mariners in Chicago last season. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA all-time in five outings – including three starts – against Seattle.
Saunders yielded four runs and seven hits over four frames in Wednesday’s 6-2 loss at Oakland, but is 6-0 with a 2.13 ERA in his nine previous starts at Safeco Field. Each of those starts came as a visitor after the 31-year-old left-hander signed a one-year deal with the Mariners in the offseason. Saunders has a 4.85 ERA in two career starts against Houston, but has yet to record a decision. Chris Carter (1-for-5) and Jose Altuve (3-for-4) are the only Astros to log more than three at-bats against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. All but one starting pitcher the Astros have faced have either set or tied a career high for strikeouts against them.
2. Morse is tied with the Atlanta Braves’ Justin Upton for the league lead with five homers.
3. Monday will mark Houston's second visit to Seattle and its first since 2004.
PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Astros 2