This is an 8* SPECIAL on the OVER Astros/Mariners.

Both teams have been playing to some lower-scoring games of late, but we look for those trends to end today.

The Mariners went into the All Star break as the hottest team in MLB, winners of 14 games in a row. They've come out and lost the first two here at home though against the red hot astros, including yesterday's lower-scoring 3-1 setback.

Note that Seattle has seen the total go OVER the number in seven of its last ten in trying to avenge two or more straight losses against an opponent.

Robbie Ray is 8-6 with a 3.54 ERA for the Mariners. After a slow start to the season, he's looked a lot better of late. While 3-1 lifetime against Houston, he owns a poor 5.40 ERA over that span.

Framber Valdez is 8-4 with a 2.66 ERA for the Astros and while he's had plenty of success against the Mariners in the past, this is jsut a case of him being in the wrong place, at the wrong time this afternoon.

Expect each starter to take a minor step back today, which will in turn leave the door open for these offenses to drive this total OVER the posted number.

Good luck, NP