Astros vs. Mariners (June 7): Will Verlander and the Astros bounce back after series-opening loss?

A week and a half ago, the Seattle Mariners lit up Justin Verlander in a way that had not been done in nearly four years. Tonight, the AL Cy Young Award favorite will look to turn the tables on Seattle as he and the Houston Astros look to even up the series at Minute Maid Park.

When Verlander pitched at T-Mobile Park on May 27, Seattle tagged him for six runs and ten hits, including four homers, in six innings as they took down the Astros 7-2.

It was the first time that the three-time AL Cy Young winner had allowed six runs since August 9, 2018–also against Seattle, coincidentally–and it was the first time he had allowed four homers since July 15, 2018, against the Detroit Tigers, his former team.

Verlander bounced back from that outing with a strong one last time out against the Oakland A's, and he will look to continue his Cy Young charge tonight and get the Astros back in the win column after last night's series-opening loss.

Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Seattle Mariners (25-30, 13-20 road, 4th in the AL West) vs. Houston Astros (35-20, 14-7 home, 1st in the AL West)
• Venue & Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, Texas)
• Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2022
• Time: 8:10 p.m. Eastern Time (7:10 p.m. local time)

Mariners vs. Astros Pitching Matchup

• Seattle Mariners: Chris Flexen (2022: 10 starts, 2-6, 4.55 ERA)
• Houston Astros: Justin Verlander (2022: 10 starts, 6-2, 2.23 ERA)

Mariners vs. Astros Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Seattle Mariners +205
• Houston Astros -250

Over/Under

• OVER 8 (-112)
• UNDER 8 (-108)

Run Line

• Seattle Mariners +1.5 (-106)
• Houston Astros -1.5 (-113)

Trends Back Big Response by Astros

In last night's series opener, the two teams combined for five homers. But the Mariners' two big blasts, a three-run homer by Cal Raleigh and a two-run homer by Julio Rodriguez, had the biggest impact in Seattle's 7-4 win.

It was the seventh win in ten games for the Mariners, who were 18-27 entering their previous series against the Astros but are now within five games of .500.

But the Astros are a good bet to bounce back in a big way tonight, based on season-long trends.

For the season, Houston is 13-6 following a loss. But after losing their previous game by two or more runs, the Astros are 11-3, and all but one of those 11 wins have come by multiple runs. Last night's loss was also an infrequent one as a home favorite, as Houston is 14-5 as a home favorite this season.

Since 2017, when they started their run of five consecutive playoff appearances and five consecutive ALCS appearances, the Astros have the league's second-best win percentage as a favorite (behind the Dodgers), the third-best win percentage as a home favorite (behind the Dodgers and Yankees), and the league's best win percentage in division games.

The Mariners, meanwhile, are just 9-18 as a road underdog this season, 14-22 overall as an underdog, and 10-14 after a win.

Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Prediction and Best Bets

Mariners vs. Astros Prediction: Astros to win

Mariners vs. Astros Best Bets: Astros -1.5 (-113 at BetOnline)

Verlander has made only three starts at Minute Maid Park this season, but all three have been quality starts, and he is 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA in those starts.

Flexen, meanwhile, is 0-4 with a 5.04 ERA in six road starts this season, and the Mariners have lost five of his six road starts.

Seattle's win last night was certainly an impressive one, especially since Cristian Javier went into it with a 2.41 ERA. But look for the Astros to get back on track tonight behind their ace.