Astros, M’s to muster offensive explosion?
It’s been an arduous start to the season for Hisashi Iwakuma. Perhaps his most recent outing, though, indicates that brighter things finally lie ahead.
Seattle’s veteran hurler goes for his second victory in a row in today’s series finale against Houston, with a 2:10 p.m. ET first pitch in the Lone Star State. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv lean toward Iwakuma and the visiting group here. The Astros, meanwhile, enter as 1.5-run underdogs.
Bet on This Afternoon’s MLB Action
After a rock-solid 2015 campaign that featured a no-hitter, Iwakuma couldn’t buy a quality performance through the first month of this year. Tuesday was a different story, though, as he limited the A’s to one run and four hits in seven innings. The righty desperately wants to improve upon his past encounters with the Stros, against whom he’s 0-3 with an 8.05 ERA in the last four starts.
Robinson Cano’s efforts may go a long way toward ensuring such a thing. Seattle’s second baseman keeps raking at an unbelievable rate, batting .548 with three homers and eight RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak. Moreover, he’s 13 for 26 with four blasts and 16 RBIs this season vs. A.J. Hinch’s squad.
MLB Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends
Colin McHugh draws the task of trying to keep the Mariners’ perennial All-Star at bay. McHugh himself has experienced a great deal of difficulty on the heels of a 19-7 showing a year ago, allowing 15 runs over his last four appearances. Needless to say, this has all the makings of a slugfest. It’s not a stretch to say that these two clubs will reach double digits with ease.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: MARINERS/ASTROS OVER 8.5 RUNS
Want More Picks, Predictions & Odds From The Spread.com? Follow on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!