Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/7/2022

Time: 8:10 p.m. ET

Venue: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX

Where to watch: ROOTNW, AT&T SportsNet-SW

DraftKings: Astros -240, Mariners +195

BetMGM: Astros -250, Mariners +200

Caesars: Astros -256, Mariners +215

Mariners: 25-30

Astros: 35-20

For the second straight game, the Seattle Mariners had to rely on some clutch, late-game hitting in the ninth inning to preserve a victory over a team in the state of Texas. It might have helped to have a benches-clearing tilt in the ninth, but alas, the result remains the same.

The Mariners won 7-4 to begin the series against the Houston Astros after what was a wild first two innings. Seattle started with a 4-1 lead after Cal Raleigh hit a three-run homer in the second, followed with a second and third-straight homer from Houston.

Despite getting rocked for three homers and three earned runs, Robbie Ray got the win after pitching five innings and striking out three.

“After that whole situation and to be able to deliver for a team like that ... I definitely was fired up," said rookie Julio Rodriguez, detailing what happened. Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning moments after manager Scott Servais was ejected. “I never really talk or yell during my homers like that. But given the situation I felt I needed to do it and kind of let all my emotions go out."

Rodriguez went 2-for-5, and Raleigh went 2-for-4 with four RBI.

“All I know is our best hitters is in there, it’s two out in the ninth and you throw the first pitch behind him," Servais said. “It’s pretty obvious."

Meanwhile, the Astros had a plethora of those contributing at the plate. Jose Altuve and Kyle Tucker, who each hit a solo home run, both had three hits while Altuve had two RBI. Chas McCormick, who also went yard in the second, went just 1 for 4 with that solo shot.

Other than that, nothing else happened for the Astros. Yordan Alvarez went 0 for 4, and Alex Bregman went 0 for 3, as well. 

“The pitch behind [Ty] France, in a one-run game you’re not going to put anybody on, nobody is throwing at him," Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “We don’t do that anyway. It was a series of bad events and I don’t want to talk about it too much more because I’m already kind of (upset)."

The good news if you're an Astros fan, is I don't see them losing on Tuesday. Justin Verlander is taking the mound. That's all you need to know as it pertains to that. Houston, angry at how things unfolded late, will settle down and let Verlander take over. Astros win 5-1

Mariners are 2-12 this season as an underdog between +125 and +175.

Mariners are 2-9 as a road underdog with that same line this season.

Mariners are 76-58 against division opponents the past three seasons.

Astros are 14-5 as a home favorite this season.

Astros are 15-8 as a favorite of -150 or more this season.

Mariners:
Jesse Winker (L) DH
Ty France (R) 1B
Julio Rodriguez (R) CF
J.P. Crawford (L) SS
Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
Luis Torrens (R) C
Abraham Toro (S) 2B
Dylan Moore (R) RF
Sam Haggerty (S) LF
SP -Chris Flexen

Astros:
Jose Altuve (R) 2B
Mauricio Dubon (R) CF
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Yordan Alvarez (L) DH
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Yuli Gurriel (R) 1B
Jeremy Pena (R) SS
Chas McCormick (R) LF
Martin Maldonado (R) C
SP - Justin Verlander

Batting average: Ty France -- .332

Home runs: Eugenio Suarez -- 11

RBI: Ty France -- 37

Wins: Logan Gilbert -- 5

ERA: Logan Gilbert -- 2.22

Batting average: Yordan Alvarez -- .295

Home runs: Yordan Alvarez -- 16

RBI: Yordan Alvarez -- 34

Wins: Justin Verlander -- 6

ERA: Justin Verlander -- 2.23