Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners Preview (July 26): Will Surging Seattle Get a Reality Check Tonight in Houston?

It might not have been the top MLB series on the radar last weekend, but the Seattle Mariners made a real impression by taking three out of four against the Oakland A’s. The Mariners are now only 1.5 games behind the A’s in the AL wild-card standings. MLB betting odds at BetOnline Sportsbook may have the Mariners at +6500 to win the NL West, but those odds indicate how good the division leaders are than it does about the Mariners.

Speaking of the division leaders, they now they get a chance to them for three games as the high-flying Houston Astros come to town. A win in this series could push Seattle into second place and narrow that gap as well. How can this be happening? What does Seattle do with its suddenly spunky team?

The Astros also had a successful weekend, doing what first-place teams are supposed to do against last-place teams. They took all three from the Texas Rangers, winning by a combined score of 14-5.

The Astros have won five of their last six games at home. They are a good road team, posting a 27-19 road record on the season. However, they have just one road victory in three tries in the second half. They have not been to Seattle since April when they went 1-2 against the Mariners.

MLB Betting Matchup: Houston Astros (61-39) vs. Seattle Mariners (54-46), ROOT Northwest, 10:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Houston Astros: Luis Garcia (7-5, 2.86 ERA)
• Seattle Mariners: Darren McCaughan (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Houston -190, Seattle +155
• Total: OVER 9 (+100), UNDER 9 (-120)
• Run line: Houston -1.5 (-115), Seattle +1.5 (-105)

Odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Monday, July 26 at 9:14 am ET. For MLB betting odds for today’s other matchups, check out our MLB odds.

Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners Betting Consensus

• Moneyline: Houston 60%, Seattle 40%
• Total: Over 40%, Under 60%
• Run line: Houston 20%, Seattle 80%

Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners July 26 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners MLB Betting Outlook

Houston Showing No Signs of Letting Up

With the A’s scuffling and the Mariners still hard to believe in the Astros may run away with the AL West. Houston is still the top-scoring team in the league and should get a boost when Alex Bregman returns next month. In the meantime, they can add to what they have in numerous ways..

Seattle Is the Most Interesting Team in the League

Seattle has been the master of the close game this season. They are 23-8 in one-run ball games and 9-1 in extra innings. Does that mean they are just lucky? Does that mean that they are a good team? Or does it mean that with the right addition, they might not have to play as many one-run games?

If they are a buyer this week, Seattle’s obvious need is a bat for their lineup. The Mariners are a respectable 13th in the league in homers, but those long balls have not gotten them far. They rank last in team batting average at .218 and they are just 25th in scoring. Those numbers are not how you usually build a playoff team.

Luis Garcia Home vs. Away

• Home: 4-3, 2.24 ERA, 56.1 IP, 66 Ks, 14 BBs
• Away: 3-2, 3.86 ERA, 35 P, 39 Ks, 15 BBs

Darren McCaughan Home vs. Away

• Home: No statistics
• Away: 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 5 IP, 0 Ks, 3 BBs

Garcia does not have a ton of MLB experience but definitely more than McCaughan, who is making his first MLB start. The latter is a total unknown with just five innings under his belt. He has not even gotten his first MLB strikeout yet. Garcia definitely has the advantage here.

Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners July 26 MLB Best Bet

Houston Astros -1.5 RL

Normally I love an unfamiliar starting pitcher to have an edge but not against the best hitting lineup in the game. My gut says that they eventually figure him out and that leads to an easy victory. Too heavy a premium to take the Moneyline though. Houston gets all nine at-bats to make sure.

MLB Betting Matchups: Monday, July 26

MLB Betting Matchup: Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets, MLB Network, 5:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Atlanta Braves: Kyle Muller (1-3, 3.20 ERA)
• New York Mets: Marcus Stroman (7-8, 2.59 ERA)

Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets July 26 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets, ESPN, Game 2, Start time TBD

Probable Pitchers

• Atlanta Braves: Bryse Wilson (2-3, 5.34)
• New York Mets: TBD

Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets July 26 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 7:05 PM

Probable Pitchers

• Washington Nationals: Joe Ross (5-8, 4.02 ERA)
• Philadelphia Phillies: Spencer Howard (0-2, 5.11 ERA)

Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies July 26 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox, ESPN, 7:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Toronto Blue Jays: Thomas Hatch (First appearance of the season)
• Boston Red Sox: Nick Pivetta (8-4, 4.37 ERA)

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox July 26 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, Marquee Sports Network, 8:05 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Cincinnati Reds: Wade Miley (8-4, 2.72 ERA)
• Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (12-4, 3.61 ERA)

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs July 26 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins, Bally Sports North, 8:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Detroit Tigers: Matt Manning (2-3, 5.79 ERA)
• Minnesota Twins: Michael Pineda (4-5, 3.93 ERA)

Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins July 26 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals, Bally Sports Kansas City, 8:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Chicago White Sox: Dallas Keuchel (7-3, 4.22 ERA)
• Kansas City Royals: Mike Minor (7-8, 5.45 ERA)

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals July 26 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Angels, Bally Sports West, 9:38 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Colorado Rockies: TBD
• Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani (4-1, 3.21 ERA)

Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Angels July 26 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More