Houston Astros at Seattle Mariners odds, picks and predictions

The Houston Astros (16-15) and Seattle Mariners (15-16) open a 3-game series at T-Mobile Park on Friday with 1st pitch set for 10:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Mariners odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Houston won 12-7 last year and has won 4 straight season series from Seattle

Houston has endured some offensive woes of late and is just 2-4 in its last 6 games. Over that stretch, the Astros have scored just 15 runs on a .528 OPS.

The Mariners, meanwhile, have scored 6 runs per game in winning each of their last 4. Seattle is back home after a 9-game road trip, but the club has struggled offensively in its home yard (.656 OPS).

Astros at Mariners projected starters

RHP Cristian Javier vs. RHP Luis Castillo

Javier (2-1, 3.48 ERA) is making his 7th start. He’s logged a 1.13 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 in 33 2/3 IP.

• Owns a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP over his last 3 starts
• Has held current Seattle batters to an aggregate .649 OPS

Castillo (2-0, 1.82 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 0.92 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 in 34 2/3 IP.

• Owns a 1.30 ERA across 9 career starts at T-Mobile Park
• Has held current Houston batters to an aggregate .677 OPS

Astros at Mariners odds

FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:18 a.m. ET.

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Astros at Mariners picks and predictions

Prediction

Mariners 3, Astros 2

With runs vs. records, both clubs are a little undercooked right now. Both may be decent plays in the near future, but this series likely won’t offer up attractive value sides. Both, however, profile, as getting lesser-than-expected pitching results and slightly better batting results so far. So, the Under figures to be a baseline setting for these 3 games.

STEER CLEAR.

No interest, focus on the Over/Under for the best value in this one. PASS.

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The Under is 6-1 in the last 7 series meetings in Seattle. And 6 straight Castillo outings in series openers have hit the Under.

Both bullpens may be a tad overrated by current surface numbers (both have top-5 ERAs), but both are likely 1st-division units at worst. The stronger of the 2 offenses — Houston — has struggled its way to a .659 OPS against right-handed pitching and is struggling in general over recent games.

With the quality of pitching, the game in a pitchers’ park, and Seattle struggling offensively at home, BACK THE UNDER 7 (-120).

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