Mariners at Astros preview

HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros continue their three-game series Wednesday at Daikin Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CDT. The weather forecast calls for 81 degrees and cloudy skies.

Right-hander George Kirby (4-1 in his last five decisions) is scheduled to start for Seattle (20-22). Right-hander Peter Lambert (2-3) will start for Houston (16-26).

Kirby is coming off a victory Monday in the series opener, holding the Astros to one earned run over five innings while striking out seven in a 3-1 Mariners win. The 28-year-old has been durable in his recent outings, going at least 5 2/3 innings in each of his past five starts and allowing two earned runs or fewer in four of them. In his most recent road start, he pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs against St. Louis.

Lambert, 27, also started Monday against the Mariners and took the loss despite a strong outing: seven innings, six hits, three earned runs, six strikeouts. He has been inconsistent this season, with two quality starts and two outings where he allowed four earned runs. Lambert allowed zero earned runs in seven innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 5.

The teams split the first two games of this series — Seattle won 3-1 Monday, and Tuesday’s game ended in a 2-2 tie. The Mariners have won four of their past six meetings with Houston dating to April.

Seattle enters the series in third place in the AL West, while Houston is last. The Mariners are coming off a split of a four-game road series against the Chicago White Sox (May 8-11). The Astros lost two of three to Cincinnati (May 8-10) before dropping Monday’s series opener.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-4 Seattle victory.

After Wednesday’s game, the Mariners will play the finale of this series Thursday before returning home to host San Diego (May 15-17). The Astros also play Thursday against Seattle before beginning a three-game home series against Texas (May 15-17).