Astros at Mariners
Lance McCullers Jr. makes his first appearance since July 30 when the Houston Astros visit the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday for the finale of their three-game series. McCullers was shelved due to back discomfort and will be looking to regain his early-season form as American League West-leading Houston seeks its seventh consecutive victory.
The 23-year-old McCullers was 7-1 with a 2.69 ERA in 15 starts through the end of June but fell on hard times in July, when he posted a 9.64 ERA before being placed on the disabled list. "You know, as a pitcher, there are certain things you need to work on to be the guy you want to be, to be the guy I was when I was a first-half All-Star, et cetera," McCullers told reporters. "I know what I have to do to be that, and that's what I'm going to be working on. I'm not going to say what it is because then the other team will be looking for it." Seattle has lost seven of its last 10 games as its playoff hopes remain in flux, with it trailing the Los Angeles Angels by three games for the AL's second wild-card spot. Seattle's Nelson Cruz hasn't homered or recorded a multi-hit performance in his last 14 appearances and is just 2-for-14 with eight strikeouts against McCullers.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (7-3, 3.92 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Andrew Moore (1-3, 6.34)
McCullers is 2-0 with a 3.45 ERA in three starts against the Mariners this season, allowing just one run in each of the victories. He has experienced solid success against Seattle in his short career, going 5-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. McCullers traditionally struggles on the road, where he is 6-11 with a 4.81 ERA in 27 career starts, although he has gone 2-2 with a 3.05 ERA in four career outings at Safeco Field.
Moore will be making his seventh start for Seattle - and first since July 26 - as the club pushed veteran Mike Leake's turn back to Friday. The 23-year-old has trouble keeping the ball in the park as he has served up 11 homers in just 38 1/3 major-league innings. Moore has issued just five free passes and didn't walk anyone in 15 innings over his first two starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano recorded three hits on Tuesday and is 9-for-17 with two homers over his last four contests.
2. Houston OF Cameron Maybin hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in Tuesday's 3-1 victory and has gone deep twice in five games since joining the team.
3. Seattle LHP James Paxton (pectoral) and RHP Felix Hernandez (shoulder) both are slated to pitch simulated games on Friday.