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Series Preview: Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners, April 30 - May 3, 2015
Break up the Astros. Houston has won 12 of their last 15 games, and have won their last four series. The Astros sit four games ahead of the Angels and Mariners in first place in the American League West and are the only team with a winning record in the West.
The Mariners come to town, winners in six of their last ten games. Seattle swept a three-game series with the Rangers in Texas to start the week. The Mariners outscored the Rangers 10 - 4 in the series.
The Astros lucky in the aspect they will miss King Felix, while facing the Mariners' other four pitchers.
Season Series
Thursday marks the second series between the Astros and Mariners this season. In Seattle, the Astros took two of three from the M's. Houston rallied for two come-from-behind victories, scoring seven runs total after the eighth inning.
Luis Valbuena exploded for two home runs in game one, the bullpen combined for five innings of one-run baseball. In game two, Jose Altuve broke the game wide open with a base clearing double in the eighth as part of a five-run inning. Finally, former Astros pitcher J.A.
Pitching
Game 1: RHP Scott Feldman (2-2, 4.81 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) vs. LHP James Paxton (0-2, 6.86 ERA, 1.58 WHIP)
Game 2: RHP Samuel Deduno (0-0, 2.89 1.07 WHIP) vs. LHP Roenis Elias (0-0, 3.18 ERA, 1.59 WHIP)
Game 3: RHP Collin McHugh (3-0, 2.92 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (1-2, 6.86 ERA, 1.83 WHIP)
Game 4: RHP Roberto Hernandez (1-2, 3.80 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) vs. LHP J.A.(2-1, 2.30 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) Happ
The Astros bats have been dynamite, but the starting rotation has been the straw that stirs the drink. Houston's team ERA is third-lowest (3.11) in the Major Leagues, and the starter's ERA (3.55) is eighth. The bullpen has been even better with the fifth-best ERA (2.27) in the majors. The Mariners are no slouches either, Seattle's starters have a 1.38 ERA in the last seven games.
Scott Feldman has rebounded after a seven-run outing in his second start this season with back-to-back quality starts. Feldman has three quality starts in four outings in 2015. After giving up 16 home runs in 2014, Feldman has yet to give one this season. Feldman has a 5-6 record with a 4.34 ERA in 13 career starts against the M's. James Paxton has a had rough start to the season, allowing 14 runs over his first three starts. Even when he has pitched well, the Mariners' defense has struggled behind him. Paxton gave up four runs (one earned) in last start, Seattle committed three errors in the game.
Game two will have two spot starters taking the mound. Long man Samuel Deduno
Collin McHugh hopes to keep the good times rolling, McHugh is 10-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 14 starts dating back to August 1. He has won three-straight starts against the Mariners, overall he has a 4-2 record with a 4.06 ERA against the M's in his career. Taijuan Walker has struggled this season, but the Astros
Roberto Hernandez has done exactly what the Astros
Batting
The
Nelson Cruz continues his hot start in Seattle, leading the team with a
Prediction
Houston splits the four game series with the Mariners. If Deduno is able to pull out a win, then I'll start to believe this is a special season for the Astros. The Astros split the difference in the game in that Happ and Walker start.