The Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros are set to kick off a pivotal three-game series this Friday night that could very well decide the champion of the American League West in 2025. Both teams meet at Daikin Park in Houston, locked in a tie, not only in terms of their records (both 84-69) but also in their previous ten matchups, having split them evenly. The victor of this series will not only take first place but also clinch the tiebreaker come Sunday night.
Series of this magnitude warrant thorough attention, and CBS Sports is here to provide you with all the essential details ahead of the opening game on Friday. Let’s dive into the crucial points:
| Day | Mariners Starter | Astros Starter | Start Time | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Bryan Woo | Hunter Brown | 8:10 PM ET | fubo (Try for free) |
| Saturday | George Kirby | Framber Valdez | 7:10 PM ET | fubo (Try for free) |
| Sunday | Logan Gilbert | Jason Alexander | 7:10 PM ET | ESPN/fubo (Try for free) |
Key Storylines:
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Tiebreaker Implications: As highlighted above, the Mariners and Astros have each claimed five victories in their first ten encounters this season. With merely three games remaining in the year, it’s clear that one team will stand out with a decisive edge.
Dates Venue Series Result Apr. 7-9 Seattle 2-1 Seattle May 22-25 Houston 3-1 Houston Jul. 18-20 Seattle 2-1 Seattle The team that wins this weekend will secure the advantage in the tiebreaking scenario that MLB has instituted, doing away with Game 163. Thus, the team that wins by taking the series, regardless of the exact outcome, will be a game ahead of the other, needing only to win the division outright.
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Hot Streak for Mariners: The Mariners are coming into this series on fire, having won 11 out of their last 12 games, reversing a previous 3.5-game deficit to the Astros. Their recent performance followed a rocky start to September with an 0-4 stretch.
Previously, CBS Sports pointed out that despite facing adversity, the Mariners were still in a position to challenge the Astros. This opportunity is rooted in their relatively easier schedule ahead.
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Injuries Impacting Astros: Regardless of how the next ten days play out, the overarching narrative of the Astros’ season revolves around the numerous injuries they have faced. According to metrics from Baseball Prospectus, they are one of only two teams to lose over 2,000 player games to the injured list this season, alongside the Los Angeles Dodgers. At present, the Astros are missing an entire starting rotation, their closer, and two starting position players, including Yordan Alvarez, who has recently gone on the injured list due to an ankle injury. However, there is good news as Isaac Paredes is set to return this weekend after two months on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.
The fact that the Astros remain in the hunt for the division title, heading into their last nine games with a legitimate shot, speaks to the team’s resilience and ingenuity.
