On Deck: What to expect during Astros/Mariners

The Astros are looking to make it two straight series wins with their first repeat opponent, the Seattle Mariners, returning to Minute Maid Park for a three-game series. Here's what I'm hoping to see from the squad as they battle the Mariners for the second time.

A Javier Rebound

Cristian Javier got roughed up in his last start, giving up five runs in three innings to the Athletics in Oakland. Unfortunately, these things tend to happen, especially for young pitchers who are still figuring their way through the major leagues.

Still, the Astros know how capable the young righty is. It would figure that an outing back home in Minute Maid Park, where he made his stellar starting debut, would help him. It would also help that the Mariners will be the first team under .500 that he's faced at home all season.

Javier's got the stuff, but members of the Astros minor league system raved about his mental toughness and ability to bounce back from adversity. Coming off his first poor start of the year, that mental toughness will be tested against Seattle.

The Lineup getting Hot

Alex Bregman had a fantastic series against the San Francisco Giants, finally seeming to find his stride at the plate. It figures that his numbers will only improve against a Seattle pitching staff that is not only subpar, but one that he's already seen multiple times.

Paired with a hot middle of the lineup (Brantley, Gurriel, and Correa) and an uncharacteristically scorching Martín Maldonado, the Astros might finally be able to showcase the lethal batting lineup most pitching staffs fear. There is still a ways to go for some members of the lineup (Altuve, Springer and Tucker), but having half of the lineup hitting well is a good sign going forward.

Against a poor bottom portion of a Seattle rotation that was already bad to begin with, things will start to look good for the Astros if they can all collectively manage to find their swings.

Of course, their offense certainly receives a sizable boost with...

Yordan's Return

Yes, last year's American League Rookie of the Year Yordan Álvarez has finally returned to the team after weeks spent rehabbing an undisclosed injury. His bat is a huge asset that is known to explode at any given moment, with his huge stature and controlled swing.

Álvarez spent time in Corpus Christi trying to get his feel at the plate back, and though his time there was brief, he looked good, going 6-10 with fifteen plate appearances in intrasquad games, which included three doubles, one homer, five walks and two strikeouts.

Concerns about a slow start are valid, but so are beliefs that he'll start off strong. Álvarez homered in only his second at-bat in his debut, and went on to record a sensational rookie season despite being called up in June. Álvarez's mere presence is enough to bolster a lineup already teeming with great hitters.

Regardless of whether or not he torches pitchers out the gate, simply getting Yordan back is a huge improvement for Houston.