The Washington Nationals (26-39) and Houston Astros (38-29) play the 2nd game of a 3-game set Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nationals vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 1-0
The Nationals lost 6-1 as +215 underdogs at the Astros Tuesday. Washington has lost 7 of 8 games and is in last place in the NL East.
The Astros closed as -239 home favorites in Tuesday’s win. The defending World Series champions have not won back-to-back contests since June 3 and sit 3.5 games behind the Texas Rangers for the lead in the AL West.
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Nationals at Astros projected starters
RHP Josiah Gray vs. LHP Framber Valdez
Gray (4-5, 3.00 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.40 WHIP, 4.6 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 in 72 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 6 K in a 3-2 loss at Atlanta Braves Friday
- Only career start vs. Astros: Loss, 6 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K in a 6-1 loss at home May 13, 2022
Valdez (6-5, 2.36 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.06 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 84 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 5 K in a 3-2 loss at Toronto Blue Jays Thursday
- Only career start vs. Nationals: Win, 7 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 6 K May 13, 2022
Nationals at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:16 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nationals +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Astros -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (+100) | Astros -1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Nationals at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Nationals 3
Moneyline
PASS.
The Astros (-250) should win as big home favorites, but there’s no need to pay the higher price on the moneyline when Houston should win by multiple runs. Bet the run line and/or the total instead.
Run line/Against the spread
BET ASTROS -1.5 (-120).
Houston is 4-0 in its last 4 interleague games vs. teams with a losing record and its last 12 wins have been by multiple runs. Eight of Washington’s last 9 losses have been by 2 or more runs and the Nationals should struggle to keep it close with their disadvantage at starting pitcher.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 7.5 (-115).
Houston has had no problems scoring runs against inferior competition lately as the Over is 4-1 in Houston’s last 5 games vs. teams with a losing record. These teams tend to play high-scoring games vs. each other in Houston, with the Over hitting in 5 of the last 6 meetings, and Wednesday’s matchup should be more of the same.
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