Preview of G21: Astros @ Mariners

The Astros will ride a W1 into a game for the first time since April 13 to face the 7-12 Mariners. The Astros won 7-2 last night, which not only tied a season-high in runs scored but also set a season-high in margin of victory. The Mariners allowed 7+ runs for the fourth time in their last five games. The Astros have won four straight games at Safeco Field. The last time the Astros won four straight road games against a single opponent was May 31-June 3, 2013 when they swept a four-game series at Anaheim. Since the beginning of 2013, the Astros are 27-64 on the road. Seven of those wins have been at Seattle.

Taking the mound for the Mariners tonight is the wonderfully named Erasmo Ramirez. It may surprise you to know that there have been two Erasmo Ramirezes to play in MLB - both were pitchers. The first Erasmo Ramirez pitched for the Rangers, A's, and Marlins between 2003-2007. The one starting tonight will be 24 next month, is 5'11" 180lbs, and throws the ball with his right hand/elbow/arm.

In four starts for the Mariners in 2014, he is 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA/1.78 WHIP, with a 6.10 FIP. His four outings:

April 1 at LAA: 7IP, 6H/2ER, 6K:0BB
April 6 at OAK: 4IP, 7H/5ER, 1K:3BB
April 12 v OAK: 5IP, 5H/3ER, 3K:3BB
April 17 @ TEX: 2IP, 6H/5ER, 2K:2BB

So in his last three outings, Ramirez has averaged just under a 32 Game Score with 18H/13ER, 6K:8BB in 11IP. Ramirez has faced the Astros only once - on August 29, 2013 - and got the win (of course), allowing 5H/2ER, 7K:2BB in 5.2IP.

Splits of Interest:
Total: .324/.393/.554 - 30 of 84 batters faced have reached base.
Vs. LHP: .340/.407/.574, 10K:6BB (54 PAs)
Vs. RHP: .296/.367/.519, 2K:2BB (30 PAs)

The Astros selected tonight's starter Collin McHugh off waivers from the Rockies back on December 18, 2013. McHugh has thrown in four games (14IP), allowing 12H/7ER, 8K:5BB, for Oklahoma City. In his last three outings (11IP) he has allowed 10H/4ER, 6K:2BB, with 63% of his pitches going for strikes - with 24% of his pitches resulting in non-contact strikes (23 swinging, 27 looking).

This will be the 10th Major League start of his career (16th appearance). He is currently 0-8 with an 8.94 ERA/1.80 WHIP, with a 5.86 FIP with the Mets and Rockies. In 47.1IP at the Major League level, he has allowed 72H/47ER, with 28K:13BB. So the fun part is that he has the chance to record his first career ML win.