Monday’s Preview: Mariners at Astros

HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Seattle Mariners (19-22) visit the Houston Astros (16-25) at Daikin Park on Monday at 7:10 p.m. CDT, opening a four-game series between struggling American League West rivals.

Seattle sends RHP George Kirby (4-2) to the mound. Houston counters with RHP Peter Lambert (2-2).

The Mariners enter having lost two of their last three. On Sunday, they fell 2-1 to the Chicago White Sox. RHP Logan Gilbert worked six scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out nine without a walk. First baseman Josh Naylor went 2-for-3.

Gilbert, a player to watch for Seattle, has been sharp recently. Over his last two starts, he has allowed one earned run over 12 innings with 13 strikeouts. In a 5-4 win over Atlanta on May 4, he labored through six innings, surrendering four runs on six hits. Overall this season, he has a 3.10 ERA across eight starts.

Houston has lost four of its last five. On Sunday, the Astros were shut out 5-0 by Cincinnati. RHP Jayden Murray tossed a scoreless inning with one hit allowed.

Murray, a reliever to watch for Houston, has been effective in limited work. Over his last three outings, he has thrown four scoreless innings with two strikeouts, yielding only three hits. His lone blemish was a two-run inning against the New York Yankees on April 25.

The Astros have struggled offensively, scoring two or fewer runs in four of their last six games.

Seattle swept a four-game set from Houston earlier this season, winning 9-6, 8-7, 6-1 and 6-2 from April 10-13 at T-Mobile Park. The Mariners outscored the Astros 29-16 in that series.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 Houston win. Seattle enters as a minus-1.5 run line favorite. The over/under is 8.

The series continues Tuesday and Wednesday before Seattle hosts San Diego for three games beginning Friday. Houston returns home Friday to face Texas.