Houston @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2018 ) Houston 4, Seattle 7

Three-time American League batting champion Jose Altuve will return from a 21-game absence when the Houston Astros visit the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The reigning AL MVP injured his right knee on July 25 and Houston went just 8-13 during his time on the shelf.

Altuve is looking forward to getting back into the lineup after being on the disabled list for the first time in his eight-year career. "I'm excited," Altuve told reporters prior to Monday's 7-4 loss to the Mariners. "This is a great team. I know you guys know I love every single part about this team and the way they play. We're in first place and most likely we're going to be in the playoffs, and I have a lot of confidence in my teammates, and I just want to be a part of this." The Astros are tied for first place in the AL West with Oakland while the Mariners are just 3 1/2 games back after defeating Houston for the fifth straight meeting. Robinson Cano recorded three hits - including a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning - and is 9-for-26 in seven contests since returning from an 80-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's performance-enhancing substances policy.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (2-4, 3.19 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-7, 3.90)

Peacock will be starting for the first time this season after making 49 appearances out of the bullpen. The 30-year-old has made 67 career starts - including 21 last season, when he went a career-best 13-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 34 total contests. Peacock has registered 11 strikeouts over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in four appearances against Seattle this season and is 5-4 with a 4.42 ERA in 15 career games (nine starts) versus the club.

Leake has gone 0-3 over his last nine starts, last winning on June 23 against Boston. The 30-year-old was superb in his last outing as he allowed only two hits over eight scoreless innings against Oakland but settled for a no-decision. Leake is 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA in three starts against Houston this season and 6-6 with a 3.67 ERA in 15 career appearances (13 starts) versus the team.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners RHP Edwin Diaz recorded his 48th save in the series opener to match the single-season franchise record set in 2014 by Fernando Rodney.

2. Houston All-Star OF George Springer (quadriceps) was scratched from the opener but could be available on Tuesday.

3. Seattle activated SS Jean Segura from the paternity list and recalled OF Ben Gamel from Triple-A Tacoma while optioning OF Guillermo Heredia to the Rainers and RHP Matt Festa to Double-A Arkansas.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Astros 3