Mariners @ Astros

Who will WIN this matchup?

Seattle Mariners (47-66)

@ Houston Astros (72-40)

Starting Pitchers:

Tuivailala (SEA): 1-0; 4.15 ERA (opener)

Verlander (HOU) 14-4; 2.73 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Seattle Mariners: 6-4

Houston Astros: 7-3

Current odds:

Seattle Mariners: (+317)

Houston Astros: (-400)

• American League Cy Young Award candidate Justin Verlander will try to put a cap on a brilliant pitching series for the Houston Astros when he takes the mound against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Sunday. The Astros gave up three hits in a series-opening victory before posting a combined no-hitter on Saturday and now turn to Verlander, who shares the major-league lead with 14 victories. Aaron Sanchez, who was acquired from Toronto on Wednesday, pitched the opening six innings to earn his first victory in 18 outings on Saturday and Jose Altuve belted his sixth homer in 13 contests to extend his hitting streak to seven games (14-for-28). Altuve, who is batting .471 with 12 RBIs over his last 13 contests, hopes to remain hot as he and the red-hot Astros will face an opener who will be followed by left-hander Tommy Milone in the series finale.

• The Mariners have been victims of a combined no-hitter twice in less than four weeks – the other against the Los Angeles Angels on July 12 – and have not had much luck against AL West-leading Houston this year, recording just one victory in 12 meetings. Seattle’s Kyle Seager had his 10-game hitting streak halted on Saturday, going 0-for-4 as the last-place Mariners managed four walks and struck out eight times.

• The Mariners did not officially name a starter for Sunday, but it could be right-hander Matt Wisler after he pitched two scoreless innings in front of Milone on July 28 in an eventual win over Detroit. The 32-year-old Milone gave up two runs and six hits over five innings in a no-decision on Sunday and has not registered a win since May 27 after going 0-3 with a 7.04 ERA last month. Altuve is 7-for-25 with a homer versus Milone, who has posted a 0.87 ERA over 10 1/3 innings against Houston this year.

• Verlander lost his first start of July but rebounded by winning the last four, allowing a total of five runs – four earned – over 25 innings while registering 43 strikeouts. The 36-year-old Virginian limited Cleveland to two hits and fanned 13 batters over seven scoreless innings last time out and is holding opponents to a .169 batting average overall. Tim Beckham is 5-for-12 with two homers versus Verlander, who has gone 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA in three starts against Seattle in 2019.

• Seattle OF Mallex Smith recorded his 30th stolen base on Saturday, moving within one of Kansas City’s Adalberto Mondesi for the major-league lead.

• Houston 3B Alex Bregman collected two hits and two RBIs on Saturday and is 14-for-45 in the season series.

• The Mariners have used 61 players this season and are three shy of the major-league record set in 2014 by Texas.