Mariners Look to Make It Two Straight in Houston After Shellacking Astros 10-5

The Mariners just hung a 10-spot on Houston last night, and now they're back at Minute Maid Park looking to prove it wasn't a fluke. Seattle's bats came alive in a big way on Friday, piling up runs against an Astros pitching staff that's looked mortal lately. The question is whether they can sustain that offensive output or if Houston's arms tighten up after getting embarrassed.

For the Astros, this is a pride game. Getting boat-raced at home doesn't sit well with a club that's built its reputation on dominating in this ballpark. They'll be looking to restore order quickly, but that lineup needs to answer back after managing just five runs against Seattle's staff. The Mariners have shown they can pitch in this series, and if their bats stay hot, Houston's in real trouble.

The momentum is clearly with Seattle right now. They've got confidence, they've got runs, and they've got Houston on its heels. The Astros are dangerous when backed into a corner, but they need to prove they can stop the bleeding before we trust them to bounce back. This feels like a spot where the Mariners keep their foot on the gas and make Houston sweat a little longer. DarkHorse hasn't weighed in yet, but the hot hand says Seattle.