Houston @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2018 ) Houston 3, Seattle 2

Jose Altuve didn't get a hit in his first game following a 21-game absence, but the Houston Astros returned to their winning ways. Altuve will be in the lineup for the finale of Houston's three-game series against the host Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon after going 0-for-3 in Tuesday's 3-2 victory.

Houston went just 8-13 without Altuve, and Tuesday's win enabled the club to remain in a tie with Oakland for first place in the American League West. The reigning AL MVP didn't hit the ball out of the infield, but his .327 batting average ranks third in the major leagues. Seattle has lost five of its last eight contests and is 4 1/2 games back in both the division and the race for the AL's second wild card. Jean Segura has recorded two hits for the Mariners in both games of the series and has notched five multi-hit performances in his last six games, going 14-for-29 during that span.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.78 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (12-8, 3.91)

Morton is winless in his last three starts despite allowing just four earned runs in 18 innings. The 34-year-old lost to the Mariners during that stretch, allowing three runs and seven hits over six innings, but is 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA in three starts against Seattle this year. Morton is 3-3 with a 3.16 ERA in seven career starts versus the Mariners and has allowed two homers by Segura (10-for-42) while shutting down Kyle Seager (2-for-16).

Gonzales received extra rest after suffering three straight setbacks in which he gave up 15 runs and 27 hits over 17 innings. The 26-year-old yielded six runs while winning five consecutive turns prior to the dismal stretch that has seen his ERA rise from 3.37 to 3.91. Gonzales lost to the Astros on April 19, when he gave up three runs and five hits over 4 2/3 frames in his first career start and second appearance against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros OF George Springer (quadriceps) has missed back-to-back games and is questionable for the series finale.

2. Seattle RHP Mike Leake (illness) was scratched from Tuesday's start and LHP Ross Detwiler (six innings of relief Tuesday) was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, while RHP Chasen Bradford was optioned to Tacoma and INF Zach Vincej was designated for assignment.

3. In addition to activating Altuve, Houston recalled Framber Valdez from Fresno and optioned fellow LHP Cionel Perez and OF Kyle Tucker to the Triple-A affiliate.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Mariners 4