Are they for real? Mariners get a chance to prove it vs Astros

The Mariners have won eight of their last 10 games, just enough of a hot streak for them to overtake the defending World Series champion Houston Astros for first place in the American League West over the weekend.

But now it gets real.

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To start a tough 23-game stretch that includes games against the Red Sox and Yankees, the two teams jockeying for baseball’s best record, as well as tough division rival Anaheim, the Mariners first have to go to Houston for a quick two-game set.

The Astros have turned a lot of heads this year with their league-leading starting rotation that could break some records. But the Mariners have been pitching lights out as well, and they’ll get a chance to go toe-to-toe with Houston as James Paxton and Wade LeBlanc, Seattle’s two best ERA men, are scheduled to face the Astros.

In the attached video, Bob Stelton of 710 ESPN Seattle’s Bob, Groz and Tom looks at how the Mariners have gotten here and previews the big upcoming series.

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