Framber Valdez, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the way for the Houston Astros (-120) as they host the Washington Nationals (+100) at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday.
The early total was set at 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105). The Astros (38-29) took Tuesday’s series opener 6-1. Hunter Brown threw seven scoreless innings for the win.
Jose Abreu went 2 for 3 with a double and one RBI in the win. Kyle Tucker added a solo home run. Lane Thomas was 2 for 3 with a double and one run for the Nationals (26-39).
ON THE MOUND
Josiah Gray (4-5, 3.00 ERA) is slated to get the start for Washington. The righty allowed one run over five innings in his last start, a 3-2 road defeat against the Braves on Friday. He gave up two hits while striking out six and walking four in the no-decision.
Gray is making his first appearance against the Astros this season. Gray made one start against the Astros in 2022, a 6-1 home loss on May 13. He surrendered six runs on six hits over six innings, striking out five and walking two.
For Houston, left-hander Valdez (6-5, 2.36 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Nationals. Valdez made one start against the Nationals in 2022, throwing 7.2 innings in a 6-1 road win on May 13.
He gave up seven hits and walked two while striking out six in the win. In his last start on Thursday, Valdez took the loss on the road against the Blue Jays.
He threw five innings and gave up three runs on four hits, striking out five and walking four in the 3-2 defeat. The LHP ranks fifth in the AL in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Washington has averaged only 3.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.2, while performing worse across the board (.224/.256/.327). Against lefties like Valdez this season, the Nats have a .793 OPS, fifth highest in MLB.
Thomas is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.097 OPS in 78 at-bats. Houston is averaging only 4.6 runs per game in the last five, consistent with their season average.
The ‘Stros have a .697 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .970 OPS over 131 at-bats, Yordan Alvarez has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is 14-18 away from Nationals Park in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Houston has gone 19-14 at Minute Maid Park this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. In the last 10 games between the teams at Minute Maid Park, Washington is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.2-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 13 games behind the division-leading Braves. The Astros are second in the AL West, three games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros -1.5 (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
