The American Division Series and MLB playoffs continue on Thursday, October 13, so make sure you don’t miss out on the best Mariners vs. Astros betting pick and odds.

Seattle and Houston will play the second of a best-of-five ALDS series at Minute Maid Park, and the Astros are -150 moneyline favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 7 runs. These AL West foes have faced 19 times this season before this playoff series, and the Astros lead 12-7. Houston also won the opening game of this ALDS series.

Mariners dropped a big lead in a loss

The Seattle Mariners experienced a few turbulent days during which they saw Lady Luck smiles at them and turn back on them. Namely, the Mariners came back from a 7-run deficit to beat the Toronto Blue Jays and swept the ALWC series to progress to the ALDS against the Houston Astros. In Game 1 of the current series against the Astros, Seattle had a 7-3 lead after seven innings but left the Minute Maid Park empty-handed.

Julio Rodriguez and Ty France led the team on offense with two RBIs apiece, while the former also contributed with three runs scored. Logan Gilbert started the first playoff game of his career and pitched for 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks. The veteran southpaw and last season’s AL Cy Young Award winner, Robbie Ray, entered in the bottom 9th to earn a save with two outs, but he allowed a three-run homer to Yordan Alvarez and everything Seattle built was ruined.

Luis Castillo (8-6, 1-0 in the playoffs) is named a starter in Game 2 of this ALDS series against the Astros on Thursday. The 29-year-old right-hander started 25 games for Cincinnati and Seattle this year and has a 2.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 167/45 K/BB ratio over 150.1 innings.

Astros make an unlikely comeback to win the ALDS opener

The Houston Astros played their first postseason game this year and the fans are going to remember it for a long time. They were in an inferior position throughout the entire game, but one swing changed everything and got the Astros an 8-7 victory despite losing 7-3 after seven innings.

That one swing came from Yordan Alvarez, who had a 0-1 count with two outs and two on and Seattle’s 7-5 lead in the bottom 9th. He fouled the first pitch from Robbie Ray, who was stubborn and pitched another sinker, almost identical to the first one. This time around Alvarez blasted a three-run homer and earned a win for his team. Alvarez had five RBIs in this win, while Alex Bregman chipped in with a two-run homer in the 8th. Justin Verlander struggled in his start as he surrendered six runs on ten hits with three strikeouts and a walk in 4.0 innings. Rafael Montero was credited with a win.

Framber Valdez (17-6) will get on the hill for the Astros in Game 2 against Seattle on Thursday. The 28-year-old left-hander started 31 games this season and registered an excellent 2.82 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 194/67 K/BB ratio across 201.1 innings of work.

Trends:

Seattle:

  • 4-11 in the last 15 after scoring five runs or more in their previous game
  • 1-5 in the last six games following an off day

Houston:

  • 20-8 in the last 28 Divisional Playoff games
  • 8-3 in the last 11 playoff home games
  • 12-3 in the last 15 after scoring five runs or more in their previous game

Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Pick

After losing in such a painful fashion in Game 1, I seriously doubt the Mariners will find the mental strength to bounce back with a win in Game 2. On the other hand, the Astros will be highly motivated to open this series with a 2-0 lead before it moves to Seattle. Luis Castillo will face the Astros for the first time since 2019. Framber Valdez met the Mariners two times this season (1-0) and he has a 3.95 ERA in 13.2 innings. I am going with the Astros, who proved how tough they are, and this Game 2 should be easier for them to handle after the heroics in Game 1.

Pick: Take the Astros to win (-150)

The Total

Luis Castillo pitched 7.1 scoreless innings in a playoff win over Toronto, and even though I don’t think he will shut the Astros out on Thursday, I do expect him to log another quality start. Framber Valdez is allowing a .205 against Seattle’s batters and didn’t allow a single home run in 88 at-bats. Under is 4-0 in Castillo’s last four starts with five days of rest; Under is 11-5-1 in the Mariners’ previous 17 games following a loss, while Under is 14-6-3 in the Astros’ last 23 games following a win.

Pick: Go Under 7 runs (-110)