Houston Astros (44-89) vs. Seattle Mariners (60 -73), 7:10 pm (CT)

Seattle at Houston,  7:10 pm (CT)

TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV 
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Mariners SBNation Blog: Lookout Landing

Pitching Match

RHP Taijuan Walker (0-0 / 0.00 ERA / 0.00 WHIP) vs. RHP Brad Peacock (3-4 / 5.67 ERA / 1.44 WHIP)

Preview

Another day, and other day closer to September call-ups. This time around the team with the hot-shot prospect hitting the field for the first time is the Mariners.

M's top prospect, Taijuan Walker, make his first major league start tonight in Houston. The 2010 draft pick signed out of high school in Yucaipa, California. Walker has pitched in the two most recent Futures game in Kansas City and New York. In between Double-A Jackson and Triple-A Tacoma this season, Walker has a 2.93 ERA with a 2.81 K/BB rate in 141 innings.

I asked a few of my fellow writers for their opinion of Walker -

The fans are in for a show. He's a really big kid and his stuff is pretty good. It's not electric stuff, but he's really efficient. - Sean Feist

His curveball isn't ultra consistent but when he snaps it off, good luck. Also, his fastball is instantly one of the best around. - Spencer Morris

[Walker's fastball] plays off of his changeup like a dream -Anthony Boyer

Pretty mechanics, too. My #1 pro pitcher yet to pitch in the majors right now. -Spencer Morris

Walker's counterpart tonight is Brad Peacock, who has made two previous starts against the M's this season. Over those two starts he has given up 10 runs over 9.1 innings. Seattle left the yard five times in those two starts. More recently, Peacock has a 2.88 ERA over his last four starts since returning to the rotation. His Achilles heal continues to be the long ball, he has given up five home runs over these last four starts.

Justin Smoak and Kyle Seager are both  2-for-5 with a extra-base hit against Peacock in their careers. Kendrys Morales and Raul Ibanez are likewise 1-for-4 with an extra base hit each against the Astros' right-hander. Michael Morse is officially with Baltimore now, Abraham Almonte was also promoted Triple Tacoma to start tonight.