After being swept by the lowly Oakland Athletics, the Houston Astros got back to their winning ways with a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners last night at Minute Maid Park. Tonight they will play the second leg of their 4-game set and Houston is expected to have the future Hall of Famer, Justin Verlander, tapping the rubber. Verlander is a legitimate AL Cy Young candidate because he has been throwing flames. He is 13-3 with a nasty ERA of 1.86, a 0.88 WHIP, and over his last 3 he is 3-0 with an ERA of only 0.95. Seattle is expected to counter with lefty Robbie Ray. He has been mediocre, at 8-7, with an ERA of 3.90, a 1.15 WHIP, and over his last 3 he is 1-1 with a 5.75 ERA. The AL West-leading Astros have an 11 game lead over the second place Mariners and have had their number. Houston has won 4 straight against Seattle and are 4-1 in their last 5 against a left-handed starter.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS