In this article, we will formulate an Astros vs Nationals Prediction for this MLB matchup on Tuesday, July 7th in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Washington Nationals Preview
The Washington Nationals have a 47‑45 record this season and are sitting in the 4th place of the NL East. They have a 19‑27 home record and are coming off a 12‑11 home win against the Astros. They will face the Yankees and the Athletics next.
The Nationals have a .250 batting average this season, .324 OBP and .433 Slugging percentage. Washington’s pitching staff has a 4.79 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. Luis Garcia Jr. is the team’s best hitter with a .281 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 65. James Wood adds a team‑high 24 home runs.
Andrew Alvarez (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 2‑1 record, 3.05 ERA and 1.38 WHIP.
Houston Astros Preview
The Houston Astros have a 45‑48 record this season and are sitting in the 3rd place of the AL West. They have a 22‑24 road record and are coming off an 11‑12 road defeat against the Nationals. They will face the Rangers and the Orioles next.
The Astros have a .242 batting average this season, .316 OBP and .413 Slugging percentage. Houston’s pitching staff has a 4.76 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Yordan Alvarez is the team’s best hitter with a .318 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 67 and adding a team‑high 29 home runs.
Tatsuya Imai (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Astros, and he has a 5‑4 record, 6.14 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.
Houston Astros @ Washington Nationals Betting Trends: July 7, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Andrew Alvarez Record this season: 2-1 ERA: 3.05
- Home Record: 1-0
- Last 5 against Astros: –
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Nationals have won each of their last nine games as favorites against the Astros.
- The Astros have lost each of their last seven games as underdogs against the Nationals following a loss.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in 20 of their last 25 games against American League opponents after playing the previous day.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games against National League opponents following a road loss.
- The Nationals have won the first inning in three of their last four night games at Nationals Park.
- The Nationals have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight home night games.
- The Nationals have led after 3 innings in seven of their last eight home night games.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Tatsuya Imai Record this season: 5-4 ERA: 6.14
- Road Record: 3-1
- Last 5 against Nationals: –
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Astros have won 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Nationals have lost five of their last six home games after playing the previous day.
- The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last 11 games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven night games against the Astros at Nationals Park following a win.
- The Astros have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight night games against NL East opponents.
- The Astros have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games at Nationals Park against opponents that held a winning record.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Astros’ last nine games against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Thirteen of the Nationals’ last 15 games as favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of the Nationals’ last eight games.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in four of the Astros’ last five road games.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- James Wood has hit a home run in four of the Nationals’ last five games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Andrew Alvarez has recorded five strikeouts in each of his last six home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances against AL opponents.
- Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (33) this season.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Yainer Diaz has hit a home run in each of the Astros’ last three games against the Nationals.
- Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances with the Astros as road underdogs against NL opponents.
- Yordan Alvarez ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.630) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nationals rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (497).
- The Nationals rank 1st in the league for RBIs this season (473).
- The Astros rank 30th in the league for steals this season (29).
- The Astros rank T3rd in the league for home runs this season (125).
Astros vs Nationals Prediction
The Nationals are 6-3 in their last 9 meetings against the Astros and have won their last three meetings in Washington.
In this Astros vs Nationals Prediction, the Nationals are coming as -120 home favorites. I like the Nationals at home in this one, as Alvarez has been the better pitching option than Imai. Alvarez has given up one run or less in three of his last four games and two runs or less in each of his last six. On the flip side, Imai has given up 13 total runs in three of his last four starts combined and the Astros are dead last against lefties in the last 10 days. Take the Nationals in this one.