Move over Christmas in July, now we have playoffs in July
Tonight the Mariners open the second half of their season with the most important series to date, hosting the division rival Astros, who are positioned to take over first in the AL West with a strong showing at T-Mobile Park. The Mariners slid into the break with a disappointing last month ending with a disastrous series against the Angels; meanwhile, the Astros have reloaded their pitching and have been playing the best baseball in the league over the past month. They come into T-Mobile Park with all the momentum, and it’s not overselling it to say this is the playoffs, round one, if the Mariners aim to keep any hope alive of their own run at the playoffs and not let the Astros run away with the division.
Second half starts now. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/A9ub3z6aVA
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 19, 2024
Victor Robles remains in the lineup in place of Canzone, with Jonatan Clase and Ryan Bliss available off the bench, along with Dylan Moore, who gets yet another off-day in favor of Jorge Polanco, who was hitting much better on the past road trip.
Back to it.
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 19, 2024
⚾ : 9:10 pm (CST)
: @SpaceCityHN
️ : @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#Relentless x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/8LjMtJsN1B
The last time Hunter Brown faced the Mariners, he struck out nine hitters, mostly by flipping his pitch mix away from his normal fastball-heavy approach, instead throwing sliders and changeups over half the time. Those pitches aren’t as polished as his fastball and the sinker, which is newer but has given him even more depth to his repertoire, but Brown seemed plenty confident in the pitches when he was throwing tons of off-speed against the Mariners and striking them out last time. In order to change their fortunes against Brown, the Mariners hitters need to keep honest and not expand the zone, and force him to put his hittable pitches on the plate.
The Astros remain without Kyle Tucker, instead using an outfield mix of rookie Joey Loperfido, Trey Cabbage, and Jake Meyers.
Game time: 7:10 PT
Television: ROOT Sports NW, with Aaron Goldsmith and Mike Blowers
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Dave Sims and Gary Hill Jr.
Since the team was on the road for July 15, the actual date of the inaugural game played at T-Mobile Park (née Safeco Field), the organization will honor the 25th anniversary of T-Mobile Park tonight with a special fireworks display.