Mariners at Astros
Houston right-hander Gerrit Cole isn't caught up in the pursuit of his first Cy Young award, but focused only on preparing for the playoffs as the first-place Astros try for their 11th straight victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Sunday in the finale of their four-game series. Cole, who will sign a lucrative free-agent contract during the offseason, is riding a 17-game unbeaten streak and along with teammate Justin Verlander forms the most potent duo in the major leagues.
"Just keep trying to focus on the things I can control,” Cole told reporters. “Some of the numbers are kind of special but it’s something to be celebrating when all the work is done. Right now, I just have a few things I want to stay focused on and continue to prepare well for the postseason.” Verlander and Cole are 1-2 in the American League in ERA (2.52, 2.81) and 1-2 in baseball in strikeouts (Cole leads 266-264) while Houston became the first team to have pitchers strike out at least 14 in consecutive games since the mound was moved to 60 feet, 6 inches in 1893, according to Elias. The Astros' Alex Bregman became the third player in franchise history to record at least 100 RBIs (100), 100 runs (109) and 100 walks (100) in a season (Jeff Bagwell six times, Lance Berkman twice) when he hit his 34th home run and walked during Saturday's 2-1 victory. Felix Hernandez has struggled since his return from the injured list (shoulder) for Seattle, which has lost 15 of 16 meetings with Houston in 2019.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (1-5, 6.02 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.81)
Hernandez allowed two runs, two hits and four walks with five strikeouts over three innings of a 6-1 loss to the Cubs in Chicago on Tuesday. This could be the final season for the 33-year-old Venezuelan and former Cy Young award winner, who is 0-1 with a 4.61 ERA in three starts since returning from the IL. Houston's Jose Altuve is 16-for-32 with two home runs and four doubles against Hernandez, who is 4-7 with a 4.42 ERA in 14 starts against the Astros after yielding three runs in six innings of a 3-1 loss April 13.
Cole struck out 14 - one game after Verlander did the same in his no-hitter in Toronto - while permitting one run and three hits over six innings, but settled for a no-decision in Houston's 3-2 victory at Milwaukee on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Californian, who boasts a club-record 16 double-digit strikeout games this season, is 11-0 with a 2.03 ERA during his unbeaten streak. Seattle's Keon Broxton is 3-for-14 with a home run and nine strikeouts against Cole, who is 4-2 with a 2.25 ERA in seven starts versus the Mariners - 2-0, 2.08 in two turns this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Houston CF George Springer (30 home runs) is expected back in the lineup Sunday after missing the last three games (concussion).
2. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager leads all visiting players with 14 home runs at Minute Maid Park since the Astros moved to the AL West in 2013.
3. Houston on Sunday can tie a franchise record - last matched in 1998 and set in 1980 - with its 55th home victory.