Seattle @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2018 ) Seattle 0, Houston 7

The Houston Astros aim to notch their 14th victory in 17 games when they conclude their three-game series Wednesday against the visiting Seattle Mariners. The teams split the first two games of the set, with Houston cruising to a 7-0 win on Tuesday.

Marwin Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Tuesday's victory and is batting .365 with four blasts and 13 RBIs in 65 at-bats against Seattle this season. Josh Reddick (Achilles) is expected to miss his second straight game for Houston, which holds a five-game lead over Oakland in the American League West. Robinson Cano matched a season high with three hits, but Seattle recorded a total of six while going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Slugger Nelson Cruz struck out three times while going 0-for-4 for the Mariners, who are seven games behind Oakland for the AL's second wild-card spot.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Roenis Elias (2-1, 3.18 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (11-10, 3.57)

Seattle is going with a bullpen game, but manager Scott Servais declined to reveal who will start the contest. The pitcher likely to take the mound first is Elias, who last worked when he allowed one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. The 30-year-old Elias is 1-2 with a 5.01 ERA in nine career appearances (seven starts) versus Houston.

Keuchel settled for a no-decision in his last turn, when he gave up two runs and five hits over six innings against Arizona. The 30-year-old is 2-0 over his last five outings and has suffered just one setback in his last eight turns. Keuchel is 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA in four starts versus Seattle this season and 9-7 with a 3.02 ERA in 19 career appearances (18 starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros 3B Alex Bregman is hitless in eight at-bats in the series and just 3-for-27 over his last eight games.

2. Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez (ankle) is slated to rejoin the team prior to Friday's series opener at Texas.

3. Houston RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) threw a 30-pitch simulated game Tuesday and will throw again later this week as the team attempts to dissect whether or not he will available for the postseason.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Mariners 2