Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros Prediction MLB Picks 5/3/24

Game Info: Friday, May 3, 2024 at 8:10 pm (Minute Maid Park)

Ronel Blanco (3-0) (1.65) vs George Kirby (3-2) (3.62)

Betting Odds: Houston Astros -120 / Seattle Mariners +100 --- Over/Under: 7.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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In this article we will formulate a Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 3rd at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. To formulate this prediction for game one in the series, we will examine:

• The Mariners recent form and recent player performance 
• The Astros recent form and recent play performance
• Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Seattle
• Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Houston 
• Recent betting trends in games played between Seattle and Houston
• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today's Game between Seattle and Houston

Seattle is Playing Very Well 

The Seattle Mariners are 17-14 this year and they have won seven of their last ten games. Seattle is coming off of a series win against the Braves, where they won two out of three games. Prior to that series, the Mariners won two out of three against Arizona and two out of three against Texas. Seattle started the season on the slower side, but they have picked up their play in recent weeks and they are currently leading the AL West. 

The Seattle pitching staff has a 2.96 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a .208 opponent batting average. The Mariners offense has scored 111 runs with a .219 batting average and a .297 on base percentage. Ty France is batting .253 with two home runs and eight RBI's for the Mariners. The Seattle offense does not have very good numbers on the year, but their pitching staff has been elite. 

Houston is Riding the Momentum 

The Houston Astros are 11-20 this season and they have won four of their last five games. Houston is coming off of a series win against Cleveland, where they won two out of three games. Prior to that series, the Astros won both games against Colorado and were swept by the Cubs in three games. Houston has been pretty bad so far this season and they are tied for last in the AL West with the Angels. 

The Houston pitching staff has a 4.80 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, and a .256 opponent batting average. The Astros offense has scored 142 runs with a .264 batting average and a .329 on base percentage. Jose Altuve is batting .352 with seven home runs and 11 RBI's for the Astros this year. Houston finally has some momentum going in the right direction and they have scored at least eight runs in four of their last five games. 

Starting Pitchers

The projected starting pitcher for Seattle is George Kirby, who is 3-2 with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 32.1 innings pitched this year. Kirby has allowed a total of two earned runs and 12 hits over his last three starts (18 IP). The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Ronel Blanco, who is 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP over 32.2 innings pitched this year. Blanco has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight starts this season. 

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Kyle Tucker has hit a home run in three of the Astros' last five games as favorites.
• Alex Bregman has recorded at least one RBI in six of the Astros' last seven games as home favorites against the Mariners.
• Kyle Tucker has scored at least one run in each of the Astros' last seven home games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Jeremy Pena has recorded at least one hit in each of the Astros' last 11 games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Jeremy Pena has recorded at least one Single in each of the Astros' last 11 games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Chas McCormick has recorded at least one total base in 15 of his last 16 home appearances against AL opponents.
• Kyle Tucker ranks T5th in the league in Home Runs (8) this season.

Seattle Mariners Player Prop Facts

• Cal Raleigh has hit a home run in three of his last four road appearances after not playing the previous day.
• Cal Raleigh has recorded at least one RBI in six of his last seven road appearances after not playing the previous day.
• George Kirby has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last three appearances.
• Julio Rodriguez has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last 12 Friday appearances against AL teams that held a losing record.
• Jorge Polanco has scored a run in eight of his last nine appearances with his team as an underdog against AL West opponents.
• J.P. Crawford has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances with the Mariners as underdogs against AL West opponents.
• George Kirby has recorded a win in each of his last seven appearances against AL West opponents.
• Julio Rodriguez has recorded at least one Single in eight of his last nine appearances in night games against AL West teams that held a losing record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Houston Astros rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (203).
• The Houston Astros rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (287).
• The Seattle Mariners rank 30th in the league for doubles this season (31).
• The Seattle Mariners rank 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (323).

Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros Prediction

Houston comes into this game at the bottom of the AL West standings, but they could be turning a corner. The Astros have won four of their last five games and just took two out of three against the first place Guardians. Seattle is leading the AL West at the moment, but no team has really stood out so far. This pitching matchup should be excellent, as both starters have been great in recent outings. I know Houston is just 6-10 at home, but they have looked different in recent games. My Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros prediction is for the Astros to win. 

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.