JMN: Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners June 20, 2015

Jamie Moyer‘s Notebook is the most in-depth Mariners game preview on the internet! The daily JMN will be posted here at Emerald City Swagger two hours prior to the first pitch. Make Jamie Moyer’s Notebook part of your game-day routine.

Houston Astros (40-29) vs. Seattle Mariners (31-37) 7:10 PM PST

Pitching Matchup: Dallas Keuchel LHP (8-2, 2.04 ERA) vs. Taijuan Walker RHP (4-6, 5.00 ERA)

Lineups:

More from Seattle Mariners

Houston Astros:

1. George Springer RF

2. Carlos Correa SS

3. Preston Tucker LF

4. Evan Gattis DH

5. Colby Rasmus CF

6. Chris Carter 1B

7. Luis Valbuena 3B

8. Marwin Gonzalez 2B

9. Jason Castro C

Notes: The Astros were thwarted last night by Elias’ strong outing, and will be looking to get some revenge tonight. Despite their excellent record and first place standing in the American League West, the Astros are 13th in the AL in batting average, and 10th in on-base percentage. Houston has ridden great pitching all season, and if the Seattle Mariners get a good performance from Taijuan Walker tonight, the Astros may get a bit of their own medicine.

Seattle Mariners:

Jun 2, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder

Austin Jackson

(16) is greeted by third baseman

Kyle Seager

(15) after scoring a run against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Austin Jackson CF

2. Seth Smith LF

3. Robinson Cano 2B

4. Nelson Cruz RF

5. Kyle Seager 3B

6. Mark Trumbo DH

7. Logan Morrison 1B

8. Mike Zunino C

9. Brad Miller SS

Notes: Driven by three runs batted in by Mark Trumbo, the Mariners offense came alive last night, scoring five runs. With a very difficult opponent in Dallas Keuchel on the mound, the offense is going to have to be at their best. The Seattle Mariners made news before tonight’s game by hiring legendary M’s designated hitter Edgar Martinez, and hopefully he can make an immediate impact on the team’s plate approaches.

3 Things to Watch For:

1. Taijuan Walker Goes All The Way

Walker has been incredibly hot lately, getting extremely deep in to games on a consistent basis. In his last four outings, he has logged 29 innings, allowing only five runs over that span. Walker comes up big for the Mariners tonight with a complete game shut out of the Astros.

2. Kyle Seager Is My Boiii

I love Kyle Seager. The Mariners All-Star third baseman picked up an RBI last night, bringing his 2015 total to 37. Seager is doing what Seager does best, putting up consistent numbers en route to another solid season. A pair of runs batted in for number 15 tonight.

3. Edgar Makes the Difference

The Seattle Mariners have had horrendous plate discipline this season. You want to know who used to have incredible plate discipline? Edgar Martinez, and now he is the Mariners hitting coach. I say he makes an immediate impact on the lineup, if only psychologically, and Lloyd McClendon‘s lineup picks up at least four walks tonight.

Last Game’s Predictions:

1. Use The Force, Nelson–HIT

Once again, Nelson Cruz did not go yard, but he had way too good of a game to not give this a hit. Cruz raised his batting average to .315 with a two hits and two walks, reaching base all four times up to the plate. Nelson also brought in a run with a bases loaded walk, and scored a run, contributing to the five runs produced by the middle of the lineup last night.

2. Roenis Bounces Back–HIT

After a tough start against Houston a week ago, Roenis Elias locked it down last night. Despite allowing a home run on his first pitch, and his last pitch, the left-hander from Cuba went seven innings, allowing only two runs and racking up 10 strikeouts and zero walks. An exceptional performance from Roenis, who is now 4-4 with a 3.56 ERA.

3. Revenge of the Smith–OUT

Despite the brilliant cleverness of this prediction, Smith let me down, going 0 for 4 while leaving five runners on base. We will let it go, as Smith has had a nice season thus far for the M’s.

Season Tally:

Hits: 38 Outs: 61 Batting Average: .384

Home/Seattle Mariners

Jamie Moyer’s Notebook: Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners June 20, 2015

By Max Carter | Jun 20, 2015