Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners, 7/15/2016: Prediction from Colin O’Connor
First Pitch: 10:10pm EST Seattle, WA
Starters: Doug Fister (8–6, 3.55 ERA) vs James Paxton (2–3, 3.91 ERA)
The Line: Houston Astros +120 / Seattle Mariners -130, O/U 8
Houston is one of the hottest teams in baseball coming off the All Star break. The Astros is 19–7 their last 27 games and they have played themselves into the playoff picture heading into the second half of the season. The Astros open up the second half of their schedule on the road against the Seattle Mariners in an AL West rivalry.
Houston split a four game set at home with Oakland before the break. Seattle split a four game set on the road against the Royals in Kansas City. Houston swept a three game set at home July 4–6 in the last series between these teams.
Doug Fister makes his 18th start of the year for the Astros as he tries to get back on track. He is 8–6 with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.241 WHIP over 106.1 innings of work this year.
Fister has faced the Mariners five times in his career. He is 3–1 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.029 WHIP over 34 innings of work.
Seattle sits 8.5 games behind the Rangers in the AL West and five games off the wild card pace. The Mariners send James Paxton to the mound for his ninth start of the year in this contest. He is 2–3 with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.593 WHIP over 48.1 innings. Paxton has pitched well at Safeco with an 8–5 record and a 2.86 ERA.
This is a meaningful series to open the second half of the season. Houston is hot and Seattle’s bullpen is a major issue for this Mariners team, blowing 16 saves so far this season (most in the Majors).
Take the Astros at plus money (+120) for the win. This Astros team is starting to play consistent baseball and perhaps the rest during the All Star break served Fister well.
Astros are 7–1 in their last 8 road games
Astros are 8–2 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record
Astros are 17–5 in their last 22 vs. American League West
Astros are 9–1 in Fisters last 10 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance
Astros are 7–1 in Fisters last 8 starts vs. a team with a winning record
Astros are 6–1 in Fisters last 7 starts vs. American League West
Astros are 5–1 in Fisters last 6 road starts
Mariners are 2–5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record
Mariners are 2–5 in their last 7 overall
Mariners are 1–5 in Paxtons last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record
Mariners are 1–5 in Paxtons last 6 home starts
Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners, MLB Pick & Prediction by Colin O’Connor of Precision Picks
MLB Prediction: Houston +120
Colin O’Connor is 77–38 L30 +$4,136 and has hit on 76% of his Side picks L30 days!
