This story was originally published by Dead Spin
The Houston Astros can clinch the American League West title at the expense of the Seattle Mariners, who essentially have no room for error when it comes to their postseason chances.
The host Astros look to claim a fourth straight division crown as early as Monday night, when they open a three-game set with the second-place Mariners.
Despite blowing a four-run lead in its 9-8 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, Houston (85-71), amid an 8-3 stretch, can win the division with a victory on Monday. That’s the set-up after Seattle (80-76) blew a five-run advantage during its 6-5 defeat against the Texas Rangers on Sunday.
“We’ve just got to take care of our business,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “We just got to get ready for (Monday).”
Houston owns a five-game division lead over the Mariners, who are 6-4 in the season series between the teams. Seattle still has a shot at the final AL wild-card spot, but it can’t have many more losses and needs help from other teams.
The Mariners were riding an 11-5 stretch before their potentially devastating defeat on Sunday.
“We’ve been in this spot before,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said. “Our backs have been against the wall for a while. … We’ve just got to keep fighting.”
Seattle, however, should feel confident knowing Bryce Miller (11-8, 3.06 ERA), who has a 1.54 ERA while going 3-1 in his past eight starts, is slated to take the mound in Monday’s series opener.
Despite allowing seven walks in his past three starts, the right-hander and Texas native has yielded two runs and 10 hits over 18 innings during that stretch. Against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, Miller issued four of those walks, but he allowed just two hits and one run while striking out eight and throwing a career-high 106 pitches in six innings to come away with a no-decision.
“That sixth inning was big for me,” Miller said. “Just to prove that I can go deep, throw a lot of pitches and still feel good.”
Miller is 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA in five career starts against Houston. Astros star Jose Altuve, who homered on Sunday, is 4-for-11 in his career against Miller.
Scheduled Houston starter Hunter Brown (11-8, 3.57) can set a career high for wins in his second full major league campaign. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his past eight starts. He rebounded after allowing five runs and nine hits through five-plus innings vs. the Oakland Athletics on Sept. 11 by giving up only two runs and five hits in six innings against the San Diego Padres last Tuesday.
Brown is 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners, and he has gone 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA in three starts against them this year.
Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez is 4-for-12 with two doubles against Brown in his career. Rodriguez has hit .363 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs over his past 23 games overall.
It’s uncertain if Houston All-Star Yordan Alvarez will be available on Monday after he exited Sunday’s contest with a right knee contusion.
–Field Level Media
