Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) and catcher Christian Vazquez celebrate after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, in Houston.The Astros won 3-2.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Mariners and Astros to Compete for a Spot in ALCS

Scarlett Cooney October 10, 2022 Baseball, MLB, MLB Playoffs, Uncategorized, World Series 574 Views

The Houston Astros will host the Seattle Mariners Tuesday afternoon in the first game of the 2022 American League Division Series. Minute Maid Park will see these division rivals go head-to-head, yet again.

A Long History

American League West nemeses, the Astros and the Mariners have a history of animosity.

Beginning in early 2017, Houston staff in the video room used game feed from the center field camera to decode and transmit opposing teams’ sign sequences to any Astros runner on second base, per the MLB’s investigation report. References from Mariners players about Houston’s cheating fueled the fire of their rivalry.

A few more recent altercations added to the bad blood. In June, six Astros and one Mariner received discipline from MLB after a clash at the top of the ninth inning.

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Houston’s Consistency

The Astros have won five of the last six American League West titles and boast a 2017 World Series title. For the better part of the last eight seasons, the Astros have towered over Seattle, and are undefeated against them at home.

When it came to last week’s regular-season finale, Houston took down the Phillies 3-2. Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez struck out 10 in five shutout innings to lead his team to victory. Valdez allowed just two singles and walked one as he exceeded 200 innings pitched for the first time in his career.

Mariners End Seven-Run Deficit

Postseason baseball has alluded the Mariners for the last 21 years, but that streak ended Saturday. Seattle delivered a 10-9 win over the Blue Jays to sweep the series.

Down 8-1 after five innings, Seattle had a historic comeback. Cal Raleigh and Adam Frazier had three hits apiece. Raleigh’s double and Frazier’s RBI double gave the Mariners a 10-9 lead in the ninth.

ALDS Game One

This heated matchup is set to begin at 3:37 p.m. Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.

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About Scarlett Cooney

Scarlett Cooney is a third-year journalism student specializing in sports and media.

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