Game 154 Preview: Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners

Houston Astros (67-86) at Seattle Mariners (82-70), 7:10 p.m. (CST)

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

Pitching matchup

RHP Brad Peacock (4-8, 4.80 ERA, 1.54 WHIP) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (1-2, 2.96 ERA, 1.40 WHIP)

Preview

The Astros spoiler tour continues with the M's in town. Houston dropped 3-of-4 with the Indians, the team directly behind the Mariners in the wild card standing. Seattle sits one game out of the playoff hunt, as the Royals and the free-falling Athletics currently hold the two wildcard spots. The Mariners haven't done much to help themselves in their last ten games, winning just four - including a series loss to the Astros in Seattle.

On the mound for the Mariners, is a young fireballer that likes to make debuts against the Astros - Taijuan Walker. Walker made his first major league start in 2013 against the Astros, his 2014 debut, and his return to the rotation after pitching the bullpen since his September call ups. It's understandable why the M's would send him out, Walker is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA against the Astros in his career. In his one previous start against Houston this season, Walker gave up three runs over six innings on June 30. Out of the bullpen, Walker has given up three earned runs over 9 1/3 innings (3 appearances).

Walker faces a lineup that has been struggling to say the least. As MLB.com Astros beat writer, Brian McTaggert put it:

Indians pitchers amassed 50 strikeouts and allowed 28 hits and seven walks in 39 innings in the four-game series against the Astros.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) September 19, 2014

Jose Altuve coming of a career-first 0-for-6 night last night, is 2-for-7 with a double against Walker in his career. Marwin Gonzalez is 1-for-4 with a home run.

On the mound for the Astros is the resurgent Brad Peacock. Peacock has spread his wings (yup I went there) in the last month of the season, posting a 1.59 ERA in his last 11 1/3 innings. He has allowed just four earned runs over his last 21 2/3 innings. He faced Seattle in his last outing, shutting out the M's for five innings on 92 pitches - striking out six and walking two.

Brad Miller is 4-for-13 in his career against Peacock, as is Dustin Ackley but add double to the mix. Robinson Cano is 1-for-5 with a double, but he has accounted for three walks against the Astros righty. Kendrys Morales is 2-for-12 with two home runs. Kyle Seager is 6-for-18 with a double and home run.