Astros vs. Mariners live updates: McCullers keeping Mariners in check

The Houston Astros are one win away from their sixth consecutive trip to the American League Championship Series.

Houston will attempt to complete a series sweep of the Seattle Mariners today at T-Mobile Park in Game 3 of the ALDS. The Astros are coming off back-to-back comeback wins at Minute Maid Park, while the Mariners are hosting their first playoff home game in 21 years.

Follow Chron’s Josh Criswell and Michael Shapiro for live updates throughout the game.

Astros strand bases loaded | Bottom 4

The Houston Astros missed out on another quality chance to break a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth. Seattle’s George Kirby hit Astros outfielder Yordan Álvarez to lead off the inning, and Kyle Tucker connected on his second single of the day with one out to put a pair of runners on the basepaths. After Yuli Gurriel popped out to first base in foul territory for the second out, Trey Mancini was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Chas McCormick. That’s as far as Houston would go in the inning, however, with McCormick flying out to center for the third out. —Josh Criswell

Pitcher’s duel continues in Seattle | Top 4

The bats have left a lot to be desired in the early stages of Game 3 of the ALDS between the Astros and Mariners. Seattle starting pitcher George Kirby retired the first four batters he faced, and has recorded five consecutive outs entering the fourth inning. Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. gave up his first hit with two hits in the bottom of the third, but immediately recorded a groundout to send the game to the fourth tied at 0.

Due to the shadows at T-Mobile Park, Astros manager Dusty Baker said on the TBS broadcast that “it’s a little tough to see right now,” something that could be impacting offense so far today. Three of Houston’s most productive hitters—Yordan Álvarez, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, all of whom have hit home runs this postseason—are due up in the top of the fourth.  —Josh Criswell

McCullers works out of trouble | Top 3

Lance McCullers Jr. walked his first two batters in the bottom of the second inning, but the veteran right hander worked his way out of trouble to keep the game in a scoreless tie. McCullers induced a pair of fly-outs, then struck out outfielder Jarred Kelenic. McCullers has now allowed just one earned run in his last 15 playoff innings. —Michael Shapiro

Astros squander opportunity | Bottom 2

Houston missed out on a chance to take an early lead in the top of the second inning. Kyle Tucker reached base on a one-out single to center, while Yuli Gurriel followed this up with a single of his own through the left side of the infield. Trey Mancini struck out swinging for his fifth straight out to start the postseason, but Tucker and Gurriel advanced on the play. Chas McCormick struck out, however, as he fell to 0-8 with runners in scoring position in his playoff career. — Josh Criswell

Astros boo’d, bats quiet early | Top 2

With two talented starting pitchers squaring off, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the offenses were kept off the scoreboard in the first inning. Both Seattle’s George Kirby and Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. retired the top three batters of their opponent’s starting lineups.

Kirby, a rookie, is making his first career postseason start. McCullers entered the game with a 2.83 ERA in 57 1/3 innings of playoff baseball.

— Josh Criswell

Game 3 gets underway | Top 1

A local icon helped get the festivities started at T-Mobile Park on Saturday, as Seattle native and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready performed the national anthem prior to Game 3 of the ALDS. Mariners legend Felix Hernandez threw out the first pitch.

Astros second baseman José Altuve fouled off a pitch from Seattle starting pitcher George Kirby to get the game started. — Josh Criswell

Seattle to leave roof open for Game 3 despite ‘unhealthy’ air | 2:43 p.m. CT

Despite air quality in the Seattle area deteriorating to unhealthy levels, the Mariners’ plan is to keep the roof at T-Mobile Park open for Game 3 against the Astros Saturday. Wildfires east of the city have led to these issues. 

According to air quality and pollution rankings on IQAir.com, Seattle had one of the worst air quality index (AQI) rankings of any city in the world as of early Saturday afternoon. With an AQI above 150, Seattle’s air quality is deemed to be “unhealthy.” The retractable roof at T-Mobile Park is “designed to cover but not enclose the ballpark,” according to MLB.com.” Read more >>

‘Barry Bonds type stuff’ | 2:20 p.m. CT

An intentional walk to Yordan Álvarez in the eighth inning of Game 2—which moved Jeremy Peña into scoring position, and led to an RBI single by Alex Bregman—reminded Astros manager Dusty Baker of his time coaching the all-time home run king with the San Francisco Giants. Read more >>

Astros bullpen continues to shine in ALDS | 1:52 p.m. CT

Houston’s 2.80 bullpen ERA during the regular season was the best in baseball in 2022 and the 13th-lowest by a team this century. The Astros’ relief staff has picked up this production in the playoffs, playing a vital role in two close ALDS victories. Read more >>

José Altuve has special place in hearts of Astros fans | 1:25 p.m. CT

As the lone remaining Astros player from the worst three-year stretch in franchise history, Houston fans have a unique connection with star second baseman José Altuve. Now an eight-time All-Star, an MVP and a potential future Hall of Famer, he’s a face of a perennial World Series contender, and a fan-favorite among the Astros faithful. Read more >>

Saturday’s starting lineups announced | 1:00 p.m. CT

Houston Astros lineup:

Jose Altuve, 2B

Jeremy Peña, SS

Yordan Álvarez, LF

Alex Bregman, 3B

Kyle Tucker, RF

Yuli Gurriel, 1B

Trey Mancini, DH

Chas McCormick, CF

Martin Maldonado, C

Lance McCuller’s Jr., P

Seattle Mariners lineup:

Julio Rodriguez, CF

Ty France, 1B

Eugenio Suarez, 3B

Cal Raleigh, C

Mitch Haniger, RF

Carlos Santana, DH

Adam Frazier, 2B

Jarred Kelenic, LF

J.P. Crawford, SS

George Kirby, P

How well do the Astros perform in series-clinching games? | 12:35 p.m. CT

The Astros secured a 2–0 lead over the Mariners with a tight win in Game 2 on Thursday, but don’t consider this series over just yet. The Astros have struggled in series-clinching games in recent years, especially in the ALDS. Read more >>

What to know

First pitch: 3:07 p.m.

TV channel: TBS

Radio: SportsTalk 790 (Houston); 710 ESPN (Seattle)

Live stream: TBS.com, Watch TBS app

What to watch

Below are three storylines to keep an eye on during Game 2 of the ALDS.

Historic start: Two games into the ALDS, Astros outfielder Yordan Álvarez is already having one of the most productive division series in recent memory. His seven RBI put him on pace to set a new MLB record if the series were to go to a fourth game, with John Valentin’s 12 RBI in the 1999 ALDS currently the high mark. According to ESPN Stats and Info, Álvarez is the first player to have two go-ahead home runs in the sixth inning or later when his team is trailing. He hit a three-run, walk-off home run in Game 1, and a two-run blast in the bottom of the sixth that proved to be the difference in Game 2.

Early impact: The moment hasn’t been too big for Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña so far this postseason. In addition to making a few notable defensive plays, Peña has been a reliable asset in the Houston lineup. He’s 3-for-8 with a walk, a double and two runs scored through his first two career postseason games. Peña got on base with two outs to set up Álvarez’s game-winner on Tuesday, and did so again in Game 2, scoring a run off an Alex Bregman RBI single to stretch the Astros’ lead to two runs.

Home-field advantage: The Mariners will be playing their postseason game in Seattle since the 2001 ALCS, and the environment should be an electric one. The club was 46-35 at T-Mobile Park in the regular season. However, Seattle’s offense hasn’t exactly dominated on its home turf. The Mariners ranked 24th in runs scored at home and 22nd in OPS during the regular season.

Starting pitchers

Houston starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. missed the bulk of the regular season after injuring his flexor tendon in last year’s ALDS, but he’s been impressive since he returned on Aug. 13. McCullers has an 4-2 record and 2.27 ERA in eight starts this year, and has given up more than two earned runs only once. The righthander enters today’s game with a 2.83 career ERA in 57 1/3 postseason innings.

George Kirby is slated to take the mound for the Mariners in what will be the rookie’s first career postseason start. He tossed one no-hit inning in relief against the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card series, recording one strikeout and one walk. Kirby posted an 8-5 record and 3.39 ERA in 25 starts during his first season in the big leagues.

Betting odds

All odds are via DraftKings, as of 11:30 a.m. CT.

Houston Astros: -1.5 (+160) run line, -115 money line

Seattle Mariners: +1.5 (-190) run line, -105 money line

Over: 7 (+100)

Under: 7 (-120)