Normally the Astros would be priced much higher against the Mariners and southpaw Yusei Kikuchi. But the Astros have three starters on the injured list - Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and DH Yordan Alvarez. 

I still like Houston, though, to beat Seattle and the price is right to get involved. 

The Astros have a lot of depth to offset three starters being sidelined. They rank in the top-four in the major offensive categories. Kikuchi is pitching better so far this season than in his two previous seasons, but he has a terrible history versus Houston with a 6.46 ERA in 23 2/3 innings spanning five career starts. The Astros have won 69 percent of their past 75 road games against a lefty starter. 

The situation also shapes up nicely for the Astros. The Mariners had to travel from the East Coast to the West Coast after sweeping a road doubleheader from the Orioles on Thursday. Seattle has played four games during the last three days.

Unlike the Mariners, the Astros will have a fresh bullpen in support of starter Jose Urquidy. Houston was idle on Thursday. The Astros are 42-11 the last 53 times following an off day. Houston also has dominated the Mariners winning 40 of the past 54 games.