Nationals vs Astros MLB Betting Preview
The Nationals have the best record in the Majors and have won 5 straight while the Astros have the worst record and have dropped 4 in a row.
Venue/ Stadium: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
Time/Date: 8 PM EST Thursday, August 9, 2012
MLB Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Nationals -185 / Astros +165
Over/Under: 7.5 runs
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (8-6, 2.45 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lucas Harrell (9-7, 3.98)
Washington Nationals vs. Houston Astros Preview
Washington has been red-hot for the last few weeks, but so have the Braves, who only trail the Nationals by 4 games in the NL East. MLB odds have the visiting Nationals as the favorite with a total of 7.5 runs.
In yesterday’s game the Nationals beat the Astros 4-3.
This season the Nationals have an O/U record of 50-53 with a run-line W/L record of 56-55 and the Astros have an O/U record of 60-49 with a run-line W/L record of 56-56.
The Nationals are looking to complete the sweep tonight and they have won 7 of their last 8 games facing the Astros.
Jordan Zimmermann (8-6, 2.45 ERA) is on the mound for the Nationals tonight and he was not sharp in his last outing giving up 4 earned runs in 5 innings in a no decision facing the Miami Marlins. Lucas Harrell (9-7, 3.98 ERA) gets the nod for the Astros and in his last outing he gave up 2 earned runs in 6 innings in a win over the Atlanta Braves.
Even though he got a no decision in his last start Zimmerman is 5-0 with a 1.65 ERA over his last 8 starts, but he is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA in his career facing the Astros. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Houston has lost 20 of their last 22 games and the only 2 wins have come when Harrell was on the mound and he is 3-2 with a 2.26 ERA over his last 8 outings.
The Astros will need a good start from Harrell since they only rank 28th in the Majors in runs and 26th in team batting average.
The Nationals are not a high scoring team, but they have the best team ERA in the Majors.
19-year old phenom Bryce Harper is 0-11 in this series and will be given the day off tonight.
In some betting trends for this NL match up the Nationals are 7-0 in their last 7 games as a road favorite, 4-0 in Zimmermann’s last 4 road starts, and they have an Under record of 4-0-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Astros are 1-10 in their last 11 home games, 2-6 in Harrell’s last 8 starts as an underdog, and they have an Under record of 5-1 in their last 6 games.
Jason’s Pick: I am going to buck the trends and go with the Astros in this game, as I think Harrell will have another strong outing.
