MLB picks: Rockies vs. Astros, Rangers vs. Mariners

Let’s take a look at the two best bets in baseball for Tuesday night!

We’ll start by previewing an interleague meeting between the Colorado Rockies and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Then it’s off to T-Mobile Park for the late-night AL West battle between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners.

Colorado Rockies (51-61) at Houston Astros (66-46), 8:10 p.m. ET

They may not maintain it, but the Rockies should forge an early lead against the Astros on Tuesday night.

Jon Gray starts for visiting Colorado, and after producing a solid 2.97 ERA in five July outings (four of which came on the road), he followed it up with a quality start at Coors Field against the Chicago Cubs.

He catches Houston at just the right time here – the team has lost six of its last eight games, plating barely over four runs per contest. Second baseman Jose Altuve is batting a mere .192 to begin August.

Jake Odorizzi responds for the ‘Stros, trying to improve on the 8.94 ERA he’s produced over his last four starts. Since being shut out by the San Diego Padres on July 30, the Rockies have reeled off seven wins in a nine-game span. Their offense has led the way in that stretch, producing 7.78 runs per game.

Look for Sam Hilliard and C.J. Cron – who each have four home runs under their belts in August – to jumpstart the Colorado attack. Just don’t put your trust in the Rockies to win the bullpen battle; they’re 26th in ERA over the last two weeks (6.26), while Houston ranks fifth (2.48).

MLB pick: Rockies +155 (first five innings)

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Texas Rangers (39-73) at Seattle Mariners (59-54), 10:10 p.m. ET

Over bettors should cash with room to spare in the series opener between the Rangers and Mariners.

Kolby Allard – trying not to get hooked with his ninth straight loss – will toe the rubber for Texas. His ERA has soared from 2.93 to 5.07 during his eight-game slide, including a dismal start against Seattle on July 30 in which he coughed up six earned runs in only three innings of work.

Kyle Seager has homered twice against Allard in only 11 prior at-bats, so don’t be surprised if he makes an impact in this game.

Logan Gilbert gets the nod for the Mariners, looking to improve on his numbers against Texas, which has tagged him for six earned runs over 11 1/3 innings this year (two starts). Adolis Garcia and Nathaniel Lowe are each 3-for-6 against Gilbert.

Both bullpens have had a mediocre last two weeks, with the Rangers’ relief corps pitching to a 3.55 ERA (16th), while Seattle has produced a 4.02 ERA (20th).

MLB pick: Over