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Game 19 Preview: Astros vs. Mariners

The Astros look to spoil King Felix's fourth attempt at getting his 100th career win.

Bob Levey

Houston vs. Seattle, 7:10 PM CT

TV: CSN Houston
Radio: KBME 790 AM
Mariners SBNation Blog: Lookout Landing

Pitching Match

RHP Brad Peacock (1-1 / 5.27 ERA / 1.32 WHIP) vs. RHP Felix Hernandez (1-2 / 2.20 ERA / 0.98 WHIP)

Preview

Can we all just hit the rest button this season already? I asked Bud Selig, he said no. Bud Selig always trying to keep the Astros down - surprise, surprise. It was just a rough weekend for the ‘Stros. Saturday's game will live in the pantheon of terrible Astros starts with Jason Jennings's outing were he gave up 11 earned runs in 2/3 innings of work. Good times. Lets look forward now to tonight's game against the M's. The Astros could even pass the Mariners in the standings if they sweep the series. Houston should have a chance if they skip King Felix's start again. (Looks over at tonight's starters) Damn.

Brad Peacock gets the start for the Astros tonight; this will be his second start against the M's. In five innings of work, Peacock gave up three earned runs on four hits, walking one, and striking out three. Peacock's only blemishes were two solo homeruns by Franklin Gutierrez and Kelly Shoppach. Peacock has pitched well enough to keep his starting job, but he'll need to succeed where his fellow starters have failed and last longer then five innings. On the batter's side, the few Astros that have faced Hernandez have a no success (Carter and Pena are a collective 1-17). My only hope is for Houston to not make history in some form or fashion with King Felix.

Speaking of the Venezuelan boy that would become king of Seattle, Hernandez is making his fourth attempt at collecting his career 100th win. In his previous start against Detroit, Hernandez gave up one earned run on five hits, striking out twelve, and walking none. It was in vain; the Tigers won the game 2-1 in the fourteenth inning. Hernandez has seen a steady drop in his velocity over the past three seasons, but Felix has compensated with the addition of a cut fastball that has resulted in empty swings. Seattle's ace had career number in 2012 in strikeout rate, walk rate, and homerun rate - the big righty has shown no signs of slowing down. Turning to the Seattle lineup, the Mariners failed to square up Peacock in their first go around. As happens with many young pitchers, he may not be so lucky the second time around. I will be tremendously impressed if Peacock outduels Hernandez, but can a boy dream?

Follow the Crawfish Boxes Instgram account tonight; I'll be at the game.