Thu May 22 23:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Mariners Face Astros in Crucial Series as Road Trip Nears End

**HOUSTON, TX** – The Seattle Mariners enter a pivotal series against the Houston Astros to conclude a successful road trip. Seattle has posted a strong 5-1 record on the trip, pushing their away record to 15-9, a stark contrast to their performance at T-Mobile Park.

The Mariners welcome back right-hander George Kirby for his season debut after missing the first month and a half with a shoulder injury. He is scheduled to start Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Astros have struggled to find consistency, currently sitting 3.5 games behind the Mariners in the AL West. Injuries have plagued their roster, with key players like Spencer Arrighetti, Hayden Wesneski, and potentially Ronel Blanco sidelined. The loss of Yordan Alvarez to a hand injury has significantly impacted their offense. Outside of Isaac Paredes’ strong performance, key hitters like Jose Altuve and Christian Walker have struggled to produce. Lance McCullers Jr. recently returned from a long injury layoff, but his early performance has been inconsistent.

Framber Valdez is slated to start for the Astros, a pitcher the Mariners saw earlier this season. He is coming off an excellent season, but it is unknown who will start for Houston on Sunday after Ronel Blanco experienced elbow soreness in his last outing. Colton Gordon or Brandon Walter are likely candidates to get the call.

With the AL West standings tightening, this series holds major implications for both teams as they jockey for position early in the season. Elsewhere in the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels are on a six-game winning streak.

[Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER]

Read More