The Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners are set to play in a rare Monday game that is a series finale and not an opener. Despite a strong lineup featuring Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, Jeremy Pena, Carlos Correa, and others, Houston's pitching staff is struggling, ranking dead last in the majors with a 6.49 ERA. This has been exacerbated by the absence of Houston's ace Hunter Brown due to a shoulder strain and the lack of replacements for Framber Valdez. Despite this, Seattle has a strong rotation, including righty George Kirby (1-2, 3.60 ERA), who has scored at least six runs in each of the first three of this series, winning each. The Mariners are not currently hitting much at a collective score of.198.