Adrian Houser takes the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays today against the Seattle Mariners, setting up what betting analysts believe could be a scoreless first inning. The former Chicago White Sox pitcher, who posted an impressive 2.10 ERA over 68.2 innings before being traded to Tampa Bay, seeks to bounce back after struggling in his Rays debut.
Houser's productive 2025 season with the White Sox made him an attractive trade deadline acquisition for Tampa Bay. While Seattle boasts a powerful lineup that added even more firepower at the trade deadline, Houser's command could help him navigate through the first inning unscathed.
On the opposing side, Bryan Woo returns to his home field where he's been dominant this season. The Mariners' starter has posted a stellar 2.17 ERA in 58 home innings. After surrendering four home runs against Oakland on July 30, Woo rebounded nicely in his last outing, throwing seven strong innings with just one earned run against the White Sox.
The day's second notable pitching matchup features Sean Manaea and the Mets facing Quinn Priester and the Brewers. Manaea, whose season began late due to injury, has made just five appearances since mid-July. Each of his first four starts resulted in exactly one earned run allowed.
Priester enters Sunday's contest in excellent form for Milwaukee. The former Pirates prospect has found his rhythm, allowing two or fewer earned runs in five straight outings. His last start was particularly impressive - seven innings with just one run against the formidable Braves lineup.
Interestingly, oddsmakers have set both matchups as strong candidates for scoreless first innings, with the Rays-Mariners game listed at -125 odds and the Mets-Brewers at -130 for no runs in the opening frame. Can these pitchers deliver on these expectations? Sunday's games will tell the story.
