Astros @ Mariners

Who will WIN this matchup?

Houston Astros (40-20)

@ Seattle Mariners (25-37)

Starting Pitchers:

Martin (HOU): 1-1; 5.51 ERA

LeBlanc (SEA) 2-2; 6.99 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Houston Astros: 6-4

Seattle Mariners: 2-8

Current odds:

Houston Astros: (-135)

Seattle Mariners: (+125)

• The Houston Astros have maintained a stranglehold on the American League West due in large part to their record against their division rivals. Winners of 18 of 23 contests within the AL West, the first-place Astros aim to continue their dominance on Monday when they open of a four-game series against the host Seattle Mariners. Houston’s Yuli Gurriel capped his second three-hit performance in six outings with an RBI single in the 12th inning of Sunday’s 6-4 win over Oakland. The Astros have won five of six overall along with nine in a row versus division representatives, and that streak doesn’t include a three-game sweep of the Mariners in the Pacific Northwest from April 12-14.

• While Houston has flourished against the AL West, the opposite is true for Seattle as it fell to 2-11 in its last 13 games versus the division following Sunday’s 13-3 shellacking by the Los Angeles Angels. Kyle Seager belted a solo homer and a double as part of a five-hit effort for the Mariners, who have lost 14 of 17 overall to plummet a season-worst 12 games under .500.

• Martin answered a sterling nine-strikeout performance in his major-league debut by posting an 0-1 mark with a 6.55 ERA in his last three starts. The 23-year-old has surrendered a homer in each of his four trips to the mound, with three leaving the park in 3 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. Martin’s command has dissipated since this debut on May 12, as he has allowed eight walks in his last three outings (11 innings).

• LeBlanc has struggled in his three starts since returning from a strained right oblique, posting an 0-2 mark with a bloated 10.22 ERA. The 34-year-old, however, showed promise in Wednesday’s no-decision against Texas, as he did not walk a batter in five innings and kept the ball in the park after permitting six homers in his previous two games. LeBlanc received a no-decision in his last outing versus Houston on April 12, yielding two runs on a season-high eight hits before exiting after 4 2/3 innings.

• Seattle LF Domingo Santana collected three hits and four RBIs in the previous series against Houston.

• Astros OF-DH Michael Brantley’s RBI single in the 12th inning on Sunday extended his hitting streak to six games (9-for-22).

• The Mariners sent three-time All-Star OF Jay Bruce and cash considerations to Philadelphia for Class-A INF Jake Scheiner on Sunday.