Seattle @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2018 ) Seattle 4, Houston 1

The Seattle Mariners look to win their sixth straight game at Minute Maid Park when they visit the Houston Astros on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Seattle bolstered its slim American League wild-card hopes with Monday's 4-1 victory, pulling within seven games of Oakland with 12 contests remaining.

Daniel Vogelbach slugged a pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth inning of the series opener to help the Mariners improve to 4-1 midway through their 10-game road trip. Kyle Seager reached base three times on two hits and a walk on Monday and is 9-for-26 with a homer during his seven-game hitting streak. Houston's loss was just its third in 15 contests as its lead over Oakland in the American League West dipped to four games. Alex Bregman was hitless in four at-bats on Monday and is just 3-for-23 over his last seven contests.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RHP Mike Leake (10-9, 3.99 ERA) vs. Astros RH Josh James (0-0, 4.22)

Leake has recorded consecutive victories after going 0-5 over his previous 11 outings. The 30-year-old gave up just one earned run over 13 innings in the wins after being hammered for 11 runs over 10 1/3 frames in his previous two turns. Leake has gone 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA in three starts against the Astros this season to fall to 6-6 with a 3.67 ERA in 15 career appearances (13 starts).

Houston decided to push back Gerrit Cole's start to Friday in order to give him extra rest, according to manager A.J. Hinch. That provides the opportunity for the 25-year-old James to make his second major-league start and fourth overall appearance. James came away without a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 1, when he allowed three runs and three hits while registering nine strikeouts over five innings, and has since made two relief appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros RF Josh Reddick (ankle) departed the series opener and will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

2. Seattle LHP James Paxton (pneumonia) rejoined the team on Monday and will throw a bullpen session before the team leaves Houston.

3. Houston 2B Jose Altuve went 0-for-2 with two walks after recording two-hit performances in four of his previous six contests.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Astros 3