The Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals meet Sunday in MLB action from Nationals Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals prediction.

Houston Astros Team Preview

The Houston Astros come into this one looking to bounce back from a 5-4 loss to the Nationals in Saturday’s matchup. Jose Altuve leads the Astros with 33 hits and a .367 batting average with 5 home runs and 8 doubles while Kyle Tucker has 5 homers of his own with 6 doubles and a team-high 17 RBIs. Yordan Alvarez also has 5 homers with 13 RBIs while Tucker and Jeremy Pena share the team lead with 4 stolen bases each. Cristian Javier will start for the Astros here and is 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 18 strikeouts this season. The Astros will meet the Cubs after this series.

Houston Astros Team Facts

• The Astros have won each of their last nine Sunday road games.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games against the Nationals following a loss.
• The Astros have led after 3 innings in each of their last five Sunday road games.
• The Astros have led after 7 innings in each of their last 10 day games against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last five day games.

Washington Nationals Team Preview

The Washington Nationals come into this one looking to win the rubber match after their win over the Astros on Saturday. Jesse Winker leads the Nationals with 21 hits while CJ Abrams has a team-high 6 home runs, 3 triples, 4 doubles and 12 RBIs with 21 hits as well. Lane Thomas also has 10 RBIs and 9 stolen bases while Joey Gallo has 3 home runs, 5 doubles and a team-high 34 strikeouts. Trey Lipscomb has 4 stolen bases and Luis Garcia Jr. has a team-high 7 doubles. Mitchell Parker will start for the Nationals here and is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA and 4 strikeouts this season. The Nationals will face the Dodgers following this series.

Washington Nationals Team Facts

• The Nationals have lost each of their last nine games at Nationals Park after going to extra innings.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight home games against the Astros following a win.
• The Nationals have led after 3 innings in each of their last three Sunday games as home underdogs.
• The Nationals have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last eight games as underdogs against American League opponents.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games as home underdogs against AL West opponents.

Astros vs. Nationals Prediction

I’m on the Astros here. I just can’t get there with Washington for whatever reason, no matter how disappointing the Astros have been up to this point in the year. Washington’s been solid against righties as well, but Javier is one of the best the Astros have right now and Houston needs to take advantage of every start they get with Javier on the bump considering how banged up this starting rotation is. I think the Astros get a much needed win in the rubber match, so give me Houston here.