Seattle @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 10, 2013 ) Houston 8, Seattle 3

Felix Hernandez hasn’t won since Opening Day and the Seattle ace attempts to change that when the Mariners visit the Houston Astros for Monday’s opener of the three-game series. The former American League Cy Young Award winner struck out 12 and allowed just one unearned run against Detroit in his last start in a game that went 14 innings. Both teams are prone to striking out - Houston leads the majors with 173 and Seattle is second with 167.

The Astros are at the bottom of the AL with a 5-13 record while Seattle’s 7-13 mark is next-to-worst. Houston is off to its worst start since also going 5-13 in 1983. The Astros have lost seven of eight games after falling 5-4 to the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. Seattle suffered a three-game sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers and was outscored 23-3 in the series. The Mariners were blanked in the first two games and routed 11-3 in Sunday’s finale. Seattle was just 1-for-24 with runners in scoring position against the Rangers. The Mariners have lost five of six games and have scored just eight runs during that stretch.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), Comcast SportsNet Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (1-2, 2.20 ERA) vs. Astros RH Brad Peacock (1-1, 5.27)

Hernandez lost back-to-back outings before the no-decision against Detroit. His ERA and WHIP (0.98) are solid and he has struck out 28 and walked just five in 28 2/3 innings. Hernandez lost his lone career start to Houston back in 2007 when he gave up four runs and 12 hits in six innings.

Peacock hasn’t pitched more than five innings in any of his three starts. He has allowed just 11 hits in 13 2/3 innings but three of them are homers. Peacock allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings while taking a no-decision against Oakland in his last outing.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston won two of three games in Seattle earlier this month, and scored 24 runs in the victories.

2. The Mariners have struck out 63 times over their last five games.

3. Astros 1B Carlos Pena is batting .118 in 17 career at-bats against Hernandez.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Astros 2