With the Rangers now ahead in the AL West, the Astros need Cristian Javier to hold his own against Logan Gilbert in a series they can't afford to lose.
The Houston Astros just completed the final homestand of the season and are back on the road, and this time it's Seattle. With the Rangers still breathing down their necks in the AL West, every single game left on the schedule matters. They are no longer trying to hold on to the lead, they are trying to get it back. Every game is absolutely crucial, and the Mariners should give the Astros at least a win or two. But you never know with this Astros team, they can lose to the worst and win against the best. Only time will tell.
Here's a look at what to expect Tuesday night for the series opener.
8:40 PM CT | T-Mobile Park
Houston enters at 77-79, one game back of the Rangers in the AL West, while Seattle sits at 73-83.
Here is a look at the pitching matchup:
For the Astros:
Cristian Javier takes the mound for Houston. It's been a rough season for Javier, and he's still trying to find consistency as he works his way back from injury. The Astros need a solid outing from him Tuesday. Wear and tear on the bullpen cannot happen with only six crucial games left in the season.
For the Mariners:
Logan Gilbert takes the mound for Seattle, and this one's not going to be easy. Gilbert has had a great season so far and has been the anchor for the Mariners' rotation. He's been putting up solid numbers and giving them consistency. He was AL Player of the Week back in June after a stretch where he went 2-0 with an ERA barely over one. His ERA has crept up like most, but he's still not an arm to sleep on.
Astros lineup:
TBD
Mariners lineup:
TBD
On paper, the Astros should have this one, even though they've dipped below .500 recently. Seattle, on the other hand, is well under .500, and their playoff hopes are long gone. That should make this an easy spot for the Astros to pick up a win.
The Astros need length from Javier and they need their bats to actually show up against a pitcher who's been this locked in. If they can get that, this is a winnable game, even a series they should take. If not, this could be another frustrating night on the road for a team that's had way too many of those already this season.
