Do or Die: Mariners preview Astros series

The Mariners face a critical series against the Astros as they fight to keep their playoff hopes alive. Despite a recent tough loss, they are not yet out of contention, but a single loss to the Astros could seal their fate. To advance, the Mariners must win at least five of their upcoming games, with six being the goal. The Astros have maintained a strong position in the AL West, but their recent performance has highlighted weaknesses that the Mariners could capitalize on.

Through the numbers

• The Mariners need to win at least 5 games this week to stay in the playoff race.
• Seattle is 5 games behind the Astros in the AL West standings (Astros: 85-71; Mariners: 80-76).
• Hunter Brown has a 2.75 ERA in 12 starts since adding a sinker to his pitching repertoire.
• Framber Valdez has a 1.74 ERA and a 2.50 FIP since the All-Star break.

Yes but

While the Mariners statistically have a chance to advance, their path depends heavily on the performance of other teams, leaving their fate largely in their hands. Current trends suggest they face stiff competition not only from the Astros, but also from the Royals and Twins, who are in freefall.

state of affairs

• The Astros have been the best team in the AL since June 1, despite some turmoil in their gameplay.
• Yordan Alvarez's injury status is uncertain, which could impact the Astros' performance.
• The Mariners previously won a series in Houston and will look to repeat that success.

What's next?

The Mariners will need to have a strong series against the Astros to maintain their playoff chance, with possible playoff scenarios depending on their win-loss record against Houston. It is crucial for Mariners fans to regularly monitor the results of the other Wild Card contenders.

Conclusion

For the Mariners, this series against the Astros is more than just a matchup – it's a vital situation that could define their season. To maintain playoff ambitions, they will have to keep the pressure on and hope for positive results from rival teams.