Mariners Series Could Decide AL West; Woo Exits With Injury

HOUSTON — The Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros are tied for first in the American League West as they enter a crucial weekend series. Both teams hope to solidify their playoff positions, with the series finale scheduled for Sunday night on ESPN.

The Mariners are aiming for their first division title since 2001, having bolstered their roster with key trade deadline acquisitions. Meanwhile, the Astros, who have dominated the division for seven consecutive years, find themselves in unfamiliar territory as underdogs.

The Astros have had a challenging season, marked by injuries and trades. They’ve lost significant players, including Yordan Alvarez, who suffered an ankle sprain on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period. Manager Joe Espada confirmed Alvarez’s injury, calling it “pretty significant.” He is batting .273 with six home runs in only 48 games this year.

As they approach the final week of the season, the Astros and Mariners have split their previous matchups evenly at 5-5. The outcome of this weekend series could give one team a decisive tiebreaker advantage.

Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo made a strong impact on Friday night but exited in the sixth inning due to pectoral tightness. Manager Dan Wilson noted the injury was cautious and that an MRI would likely follow. In his five innings of work, Woo allowed just one hit while striking out seven batters, improving his record to 15-7 and maintaining an ERA of 2.94.

Woo expressed his commitment to the game, saying, “It felt like it was smart to not try to push it.” The Mariners now look to capitalize on Woo’s strong performance as they fight for a playoff spot.

With only ten days left in the regular season, both teams have a rough road ahead. The Mariners will face the Colorado Rockies after this series, while the Astros will contend against the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics later this month. The playoffs are at stake as both clubs fight for the AL West title and possibly a higher seed in the postseason.

The pressure mounts as the Mariners search for momentum against the Astros, a franchise known for its resilience. The victor of this weekend series will have a significant edge as they push toward the postseason.