The Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros will open a four-game series at Safeco Field Monday night. Houston dropped a 3-1 decision to Texas in 10 innings on Sunday, but the Astros are a solid 7-2 in their last nine after scoring two runs or less in their previous game.

I think the Astros will bounce back here with Dallas Keuchel (0-2, 4.20 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has yet to win a decision on the season, but he's 8-5 with one complete game and an excellent 2.70 ERA in 15 career appearances (14 starts) against Seattle.

The Mariners turn to another southpaw in James Paxton (0-1, 5.74 ERA) who is 3-3 with a 3.38 ERA in eight lifetime starts against Houston. Mariners are 2-6 in Paxton's last eight starts.

Seattle had scored a total of 29 runs during a four-game winning streak before taking a 2-1 home loss to Oakland yesterday. The Mariners are however just 2-8 in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 1-4 in their last five home games vs. a left-handed starter. Astros meanwhile are 4-1 in their last five games vs. a left-handed starter.

10* play on Houston Astros.