Nationals vs Astros Prediction 7/8/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Astros prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, July 8th at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 47-46 this season after they split the first two games by scores of 12-11 and 3-6. In game two, Washington led 2-1 in the third inning, but they didn’t score again until the ninth for the loss. The Nationals recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Wood, who went 2-4 with one home run and one RBI. Alvarez allowed four hits and five earned runs over 5.2 innings for the loss, while Cornelio allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to this series, Washington lost two out of three against the Pirates, but did win two out of three against the Red Sox before that. 

This season, Washington has a 4.80 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and a .259 opponent batting average, while they have scored 500 runs with a .250 batting average and a .324 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with 19 home runs and 65 RBIs, while James Wood has added 25 home runs and 61 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Foster Griffin, who is 9-2 with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 103.1 innings pitched this season. 

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros are 46-48 this year after they won game two by a score of 6-3 on Tuesday. Houston scored three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead and never looked back in the win. The Astros recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Allen, who went 1-2 with three RBIs. Imai allowed four hits and two earned runs over 3.2 innings, while Okert got the win and Hader picked up the save. Prior to this series, Houston won two out of three against the Rays, but lost two out of three against the Twins before that. 

This season, Houston has a 4.74 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and a .241 opponent batting average, while they have scored 430 runs with a .241 batting average and a .316 on base percentage. Yordan Alvarez has led the Astros with 29 home runs and 67 RBIs, while Christian Walker has added 20 home runs and 58 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Spencer Arrighetti, who is 7-4 with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 78.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Astros have lost each of their last five night games against National League opponents following a win.
• The Nationals have won each of their last four home games against American League opponents following a home loss.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last eight Wednesday night games against AL West opponents.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in three of their last four games against the Nationals following a road win.
• The Nationals have won the first inning in four of their last five night games at Nationals Park.
• The Nationals have led after 3 innings in eight of their last nine home night games.
• The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five road games.

Why the Houston Astros will win

• The Astros have won six of their last eight games as underdogs.
• The Nationals have lost six of their last seven home games after playing the previous day.
• The Astros have covered the run line each of their last 10 games at Nationals Park against teams that held a winning record.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
• The Astros have led after 5 innings in eight of their last nine night games against NL East opponents.
• The Astros have won the first inning in eight of their last nine Wednesday games against NL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Thirteen of the Nationals’ last 16 games as favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Astros’ last 10 games against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Astros’ last nine Wednesday games against NL East opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Nationals’ last six games against American League opponents.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• James Wood has hit a home run in each of the Nationals’ last four games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Foster Griffin has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last three appearances against AL opponents.
• Nasim Nunez has recorded two or more hits in each of his last seven appearances with the Nationals as favorites.
• Foster Griffin has recorded a win in eight of his last 10 appearances in night games.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Jose Altuve has hit a home run in each of the Astros’ last three games against the Nationals.
• Spencer Arrighetti has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his four previous appearances against NL East opponents.
• Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances with the Astros as road underdogs against NL opponents.

Nationals vs Astros Prediction

Houston bounced back from their game one loss with a win on Tuesday night and they have won three of their last four games. The Astros are 23-24 on the road this year, while the Nationals are 19-28 at home. Washington has dropped three of their last four games and they have allowed 6+ runs in four straight. The Nationals are starting Griffin, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in five straight starts, while Arrighetti has allowed 4+ earned runs in three of his last four starts. Take the Nationals here.