The Seattle Mariners just had a four-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday, as they inch closer to the .500 mark – and contention for a wild card spot in the playoffs – on the brink of the 2023 All-Star break. The Mariners’ offense has been inconsistenf ro much of the season, but the bats may be warming up – during that four-game winning streak, Seattle averaged 11.5 hits and 6.75 runs per contest. The strikeouts have decreased somewhat, and putting the bat on the ball is making a difference. 1B/DH Mike Ford has a .279 average on the season, with seven home runs and 13 RBI, and those numbers have all increased since he decided to be more aggressive early in the count, which let him put more balls into play with solid contact. The Mariners wind up the first half of the regular season with a four-game set in Houston. Let’s break down each game as you consider your MLB betting choices.
MLB Betting News Series: Spotlight Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros (July 6-9) | MLB Lines
George Kirby (7-7, 3.21 ERA) (SEA) vs Undecided (HOU)
When: Thursday, July 6, 8:10 pm ET
Where: Minute Maid Park
Live Stream: MLB.tv (free)
Since June 7, George Kirby has only allowed seven earned runs over four starts, spanning 26 ⅓ combined innings. Unfortunately, the offense betrayed him in two of those starts, scoring three combined runs in losses to the Yankees and the Orioles. He only walked one batter during the entire month of June (four starts), and keeping runners off base has helped him eat more innings. On Saturday, he threw seven innings against the Rays, allowing two runs on tw hits, striking out seven while issuing two walks. The offense showed up big-time in an 8-3 win. The Astros plan to use a committee approach on Thursday, and with the way Seattle has been hitting, if Kirby can bring his usual stuff, the Mariners should open this with a win. Seattle to win.
Bet on the Mariners vs Astros!
Luis Castillo (5-6, 3.05 ERA) (SEA) vs Hunter Brown (6-5, 3.76 ERA) (HOU)
When: Friday, July 7, 8:10 pm ET
Where: Minute Maid Park
Live Stream: MLB.tv
Luis Castillo is another Seattle pitcher with a record at or below .500 despite having an ERA around 3.00, thanks to that underperforming offense. Between June 2 and June 21, Castillo lost four straight decisions despite not allowing more than three earned runs in any appearance. The loss to Texas on June 2 was most frustrating as he allowed just one run on five hits, striking out six with just one walk in a game the Rangers would win, 2-0. The Mariners have scored 15 runs combined in his last two starts, though – a promising trend.
Hunter Brown has put up solid numbers for much of this season, but the Astro bats have been inconsistent for him. In the four Seattle losses that Brown has started since May 31, the Astros have scored a combined six runs. That included a 5-2 loss to the Rangers on Saturday in which Brown only lasted four innings, allowing three runs on ten hits – but striking out six without a single walk. Astros to win.
Bet on the Mariners vs Astros!
Bryan Woo (1-1, 4.08 ERA) (SEA) vs Framber Valdez (7-6, 2.49 ERA) (HOU)
When: Saturday, July 8, 7:15 pm ET
Where: Minute Maid Park
Live Stream: FOX
Bryan Woo made his 2023 debut on June 3 in Texas, and he only lasted two innings, getting lit up for six runs on seven hits – but getting four of his six outs with the strikeout. He left that game with a 27.00 ERA, but that number has dropped with each successive start. He held the Yankees scoreless on June 22 over 5 ⅓ innings, scattering two hits and three walks while walking five in a 10-2 win. On Monday, he held the San Francisco Giants to just two runs on three hits, striking out seven. As the season goes by, his stuff is improving and he’s lasting longer in games.
The only reason why Framber Valdez hasn’t won 10 or more games already this season has been the inconsistent Houston offense. In his two losses in June, the Astros scored a combined four runs while he pitched 11 combined innings, allowing seven earned runs. If the vaunted Houston bats can wake back up, he could go on a big run. Astros to win.
Bet on the Mariners vs Astros!
Logan Gilbert (6-5, 3.82 ERA) (SEA) vs Brandon Bielak (4-4, 3.81 ERA) (HOU)
When: Sunday, July 9, 2:10 pm ET
Where: Minute Maid Park
Live Stream: MLB Network (JIP at 4:30p), MLB.tv
In two of his last three starts, Logan Gilbert held Baltimore and San Francisco to one combined earned run on seven hits over 16 innings, including a complete-game shutout of the Giants that saw him strike out seven without a walk. In between, he gave up four runs on eight hits to the Washington Nationals in a game in which the Mariners only managed a single run. That was only the third time all season Gilbert had given up more than three earned runs in a game.
Brandon Bielak posted an ugly 6.61 ERA for teh month of June, allowing 13 earned runs over 16 ⅓ innings against Toronto, Cleveland and Cincinnati. He started July with a bang, though, scattering two hits and four walks over seven scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies, striking out four in a 4-1 win. He also had a solid May, posting a 3.19 ERA and only allowing more than two earned runs once. Astros to win.
Live MLB Betting Odds For Today
Xbet Betting Lines for the Game
MLB Odds
Love betting MLB baseball? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date MLB lines for Regular Season
