In a series that should be tied a game apiece the Houston Astros look to sweep the Seattle Mariners and advance to the ALCS. The Astros will send Lance McCullers Jr. to the mound to face off against rookie George Kirby. . McCullers Jr. has not pitched much this season as he returned in August from an injury he suffered at the end of last season. He has an ERA of 2.27 this year and has looked sharp on the mound. In the playoffs, he has posted a 2.83 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 57.1 career playoff innings and is 10-3 with a 2.80 ERA in his career against the Mariners. Kirby has had a good season but is still only a rookie pitching in an elimination game. He faced the Astros once, allowing two runs in four innings. He allowed 10 runs in his last three games over 12.1 innings. I am not sure how deep he will pitch in this game and that could be a problem as Seattle has given up eight of Houston’s 12 runs in the sixth inning or later in this series. Seattle really blew their chances in game one and they have won the last four played in Seattle. I look for the Astros to win and advance with a sweep here.

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