Verlander Leads Off Astros Pitching Probables For Critical Mariners Series

The Houston Astros have set their pitching probables for their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners, which starts on Monday in Seattle.

Monday’s game is set for 8:40 p.m. central, Tuesday’s game is set for 9:05 p.m. and Wednesday’s finale is set for 8:40 p.m.

Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (11-8) is set to start Monday’s opener against Seattle right-hander Luis Castillo (14-7, 3.06).

Verlander’s last start against Baltimore on Monday ended in a no-decision, as he went six innings and gave up eight hits and three earned runs. He struck out five and walked one. In his last seven starts he is 4-2 with a 4.07 ERA, with 39 strikeouts and eight walks in 42 innings.

Castillo is coming off a win on Tuesday against Oakland, as he struck out eight and walked three in seven innings. He gave up five hits and two earned runs. He’s been near-perfect in his last seven outings, as Castillo is 6-0 with a 2.80 in 45 innings, with 44 strikeouts and 14 walks.

The Astros will start right-hander Cristian Javier (9-4, 4.64) on Tuesday against Seattle right-hander George Kirby (11-10, 3.58).

Javier is coming off of his better starts in recent memory, as he struck out 11 and walked two in five innings while taking a no-decision against Baltimore on Wednesday. He gave up just three hits and one earned run. In his last seven starts he is 1-2 with a 5.61 ERA, with 39 strikeouts and 16 walks in 33.2 innings.

Kirby won his last start against Oakland on Wednesday, as he pitched seven innings. He struck out three and walked none, while allowing eight hits and three earned runs. In his last seven starts he is 1-2 with a 4.40 ERA, with 37 strikeouts and four walks in his last 43 innings.

Wednesday’s finale will feature Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (12-11, 3.39) against Seattle right-hander Bryce Miller (8-6, 4.17).

Valdez is coming off a loss against Kansas City on Friday. He struck out 10 and walked three but gave up four hits and six earned runs in 5.1 innings in the outing. Valdez is 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA in his last seven starts, with 45 strikeouts and 16 walks in his last 44.1 innings.

Miller took the loss in his last start against Texas on Friday. He gave up six hits and six earned runs in 4.1 innings, while striking out two and walking one. He is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in his last seven starts, with 28 strikeouts and six walks in his last 36 innings.

After Wednesday’s finale, the Astros have a day off before starting a series at Arizona starting on Friday to wrap up the regular season.