Nationals vs. Astros Prediction: Who will win the rubber match? 8/24/17
Can the Houston Astros salvage a series with the Washington Nationals when the two wrap things up tonight at 8:10PM ET? Here’s our Nationals vs. Astros Prediction for tonight.
THE ODDS
According to the latest oddsmakers, Houston is favored at home, as the Astros are getting odds of -145 to win, while the Nationals are getting a money line of +135 to win. The over/under total for the game has been set at 8 runs.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The pitching matchup tonight has Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 3.24 ERA) on the mound for the Nationals to face Dallas Keuchel (11-2, 2.58) of the Astros. After some rough starts following a return from injury, Keuchel has allowed just one run over his last two starts. He now has 86 strikeouts with 30 walks over 101.1 innings of work. His WHIP for 2017 is 1.09. Strasburg returned from injury last week and allowed two runs over six innings in the loss to the Padres. He has 149 strikeouts with 38 walks in 127.2 innings this season. Strasburg’s WHIP is 1.10.
RECORDS
Washington took the series opener on Tuesday night, 4-3, but Houston followed that up with a 6-1 win on Wednesday night. The Nationals are now 75-49 on the season and 40-24 on the road. Houston comes into tonight’s game with a 77-49 overall record and 37-28 mark at home.
THURSDAY’S RECAP
Mike Fiers was locked in on Thursday, posting one of his best starts of the year for Houston. He pitched seven innings and allowed just one run on four hits with six strikeouts to earn his eighth win of 2017. Edwin Jackson wasn’t bad for Washington, allowing just two runs in six innings, but his pen blew up for four runs. Alex Bregman had two hits, with a home run, and drove in three to lead Houston. Jake Marisnick and Max Stassi also both homered.
NATIONALS VS. ASTROS PREDICTION
I have been somewhat surprised with the results each of the last two nights as each team has gotten a surprisingly strong start from a struggling pitcher. Keuchel looks to be back on track, so I have a hard time seeing him take a step back. Strasburg looked a little shaky coming back from injury, something Keuchel knows all too well. I think Keuchel leads the way to a Houston win tonight in a low-scoring game.
MLB Predictions – Houston Astros -145
