Mariners announce ALDS roster, Game 1 lineup vs Astros

The Mariners successfully got through the Wild Card round with a two-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays, earning them a best-of-five American League Division Series against the Houston Astros, a top division rival of Seattle’s that also had the best record in the American League this season.

Mariners showed they can score without HR, must do so again vs Astros

For the Mariners, they’re looking to continue their magical season and earn a trip to the ALCS to face either the New York Yankees or Cleveland Guardians, two teams Seattle took the season series from.

For the Astros, they’re looking to make it to their sixth ALCS in a row and a fourth World Series in six years.

That action kicks off Tuesday at 12:37 p.m. As always, the game and pregame show (starting at 11:30 a.m.) will be live on Seattle Sports 710 AM.

Here’s a look at Tuesday’s ALDS opener from Houston’s Minute Maid Field.

Mariners lineup

Julio Rodríguez, CF
Ty France, 1B
Eugenio Suárez, 3B
Cal Raleigh, C
Mitch Haniger, RF
Carlos Santana, DH
Adam Frazier, 2B
Jarred Kelenic, LF
J.P. Crawford, SS

Logan Gilbert, SP

Astros lineup

José Altuve, 2B
Jeremy Peña, SS
Yordan Álvarez, LF
Alex Bregman, 3B
Kyle Tucker, RF
Yuli Gurriel, 1B
Trey Mancini, DH
Chas McCormick, CF
Martín Maldonado, C

Justin Verlander, SP

Mariners Roster

Starting pitchers: Luis Castillo, Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby

Relievers: Andrés Muñoz, Paul Sewald, Diego Castillo, Matt Brash, Erik Swanson, Matthew Boyd, Matt Festa, Penn Murfee

Catchers: Cal Raleigh, Luis Torrens, Curt Casali

Infielders: Ty France, Carlos Santana, J.P. Crawford, Eugenio Suárez, Abraham Toro

Outfielders: Julio Rodríguez, Mitch Haniger, Jarred Kelenic, Taylor Trammell

Infielder/outfielders: Adam Frazier, Dylan Moore

Taxi squad (not on 26-man roster): RHP Chris Flexen, LHP Marco Gonzales, LHP Brennan Bernardino, OF Cade Marlowe

Mariners notes

• The Mariners’ ALDS roster is the exact same 26-man roster as it was in the Wild Card round in Toronto.

• Chris Flexen not being included is a bit of a surprise as he’s been very good against the Astros this year. He had a 2.70 ERA in 30 innings with Houston hitters slashing just .202/.285/.312 (.597 OPS) against him.

• Logan Gilbert in four starts versus the Astros this year posted a 2.52 ERA with 22 strikeouts, eight walks and a 1.080 WHIP. Seattle went 2-2 in those starts.

• Over his last 24 games, including the postseason, Cal Raleigh is hitting .278 with a 1.019 OPS and nine home runs, 21 RBIs and 16 runs scored. He had four hits in the Wild Card round, including a two-run home run in the first inning of Game 1.

• The Mariners and Astros played 19 times this season with Houston taking the series 12-7. Aside from a few blowouts in each team’s favor, the games were typically close, as evidenced by the Astros outscoring the M’s just 73 to 65.

• Luis Castillo, Seattle’s prized trade deadline addition who signed a long-term extension last month, is the Mariners’ Game 2 starter as expected. That game will be at 12:37 p.m. Thursday.

Castillo started Game 1 of the Wild Card round and tossed 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball vs the Blue Jays. He did not face the Astros this year as he was traded from Cincinnati to Seattle right as the season series was ending. He faced them just once in 2019, allowing two runs over six innings while with the Reds.

More M’s-Astros coverage by Seattle Sports

• Fann: 2 questions that will define M’s ALDS chances vs Astros
• Drayer’s Notebook: ALDS start can’t come soon enough for Logan Gilbert
• M’s Breakdown: The comeback, the sweep, and facing the Astros
• Why M’s could get creative with their pitchers in ALDS vs Astros
• How did M’s make it this far? Same reason they could keep going
• Mariners ALDS schedule, Astros matchup and radio broadcast details

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