Game No. 149 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners

Houston Astros (78-70) vs. Seattle Mariners (78-70), September 18, 2016, 3:10 PM CDT

TV: Root Sports SW
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Mariners SBNation Blog: Lookout Landing

Pitching Matchup

RHP Doug Fister (12-11, 4.17 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) vs. LHP Ariel Miranda (4-1, 4.10 ERA, 1.27 WHIP)

Preview

Baseball is a marathon. But by the end of September, the baseball season turns into a sprint. At the moment, the Astros are trailing the Orioles and the Blue Jays in a pack of runners including the Mariners and Tigers

The Astros have started to make their move, taking the first two games from the Mariners over the weekend.

After two stellar starts from Collin McHugh and Mike Fiers, Houston hopes to go 3-for-3 with Doug Fister. The former Mariner has been one of the most consistent pitchers for the Astros this season, but he's struggled in Sept. He is 0-2 with an 11.04 in three starts.

Fister is 11-17 with a 3.37 ERA in 39 games (38 starts) at Safeco Field. Current Mariners are batting .230 (35x152) against Fister with a .242 BABIP, 4.89 ERA, 11.6 K%, and a 10.5 BB%.

Rookie Ariel Miranda makes his first career start against the Astros. He makes his eighth start this season for the Mariners, Miranda is 3-1 with 3.49 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 38 2/3 innings. Miranda is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three Sept. starts.