Betting Trends: Seattle is 30-18 (62.5%) at home and 24-13 (64.9%) as the betting favorite at T-Mobile Park this season. The Mariners are also 18-8 (69.2%) versus A.L. West competition.

I feel strongly that Seattle has the pitching advantage in Saturday's game.

George Kirby has held the Astros to a .189 BA/.206 OBP/.200 SLG/.406 OPS slash line in 95 career ABs with more strikeouts (20) than hits allowed (18). He has surrendered a total of five runs in 28.2 combined career innings against Houston. Once he exits, the Seattle bullpen (9th in ERA and 2nd in WHIP) is as dependable as any in the game.

Framber Valdez hasn't been effective against the Mariners, who have slashed .294/.355/.417/.772 in 180 career ABs against the lefty. Jorge Polanco (8-for-20), J.P. Crawford (9-for-25), Mitch Garver (8-for-25) and Mitch Haniger (6-for-20) have all been successful against him. Plus, the Astros' bullpen has given up 41 home runs — a red flag against Seattle's homer-heavy lineup.