The Seattle Mariners put up 8 runs last night at Minute Maid Park to beat the host Houston Astros, 8-6. Tonight they will meet again in Houston for the second leg of a 4-game set. The Astros will have their ace flame thrower, Gerrit Cole, on the bump. He is 10-4, with a 2.64 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and Houston is 6-1 in his last 7 home starts. Cole is 1-1 this season against Seattle with an ERA of only 1.32. The Mariners will give the nod to Mike Leake, who is 8-7, with a 4.16 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Leake has not fared well this year against the Champs, going 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA. The Astros have won 12 of the last 16 meetings with the Mariners and are expected to have their All-Star shortstop back tonight, Carlos Correa, who has been out since June with back soreness. Houston should even it up tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS