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Houston Astros vs Washington Nationals July 28th 2025
The Washington Nationals head to Daikin Park in Houston to take on the Astros on Monday, July 28, 2025. The game is set for 8:10 PM and will be broadcast on MASN. The weather forecast predicts a very hot day with clear skies, but the retractable roof at Daikin Park might keep conditions comfortable for players and fans.
The Nationals, under interim manager Miguel Cairo, have a record of 43-62 this season. They are 18 games back in the NL East. On the other side, the Astros, managed by Joe Espada, hold a 60-46 record. The Astros have performed well at home with a 33-23 record. Starting on the mound for the Nationals is Brad Lord, while Framber Valdez will pitch for the Astros. Valdez has an 11-4 record with a 2.67 ERA, making him a key player for Houston in this game.
Nationals vs Astros Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Washington Nationals vs. Houston Astros
- Venue: Daikin Park in Houston, TX
- Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
- Nationals Moneyline: +193
- Astros Moneyline: -232
- Nationals Runline: +1.5 (-110)
- Astros Runline: -1.5 (-110)
- Total Over: 7.5 (-109)
- Total Under: 7.5 (-111)
The Nationals Can Win If…
The Washington Nationals recently played against the Minnesota Twins and won 7-2. Jake Irvin was on the mound, pitching 7 innings and allowing only 2 runs. CJ Abrams had a strong game, hitting a home run and scoring 3 runs.
The Nationals have been doing well in recent games, with a team batting average of .245, ranking 10th in the league. They are also strong in stolen bases, ranking 5th with 92 stolen bases this season. Their ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities makes them a threat in any game.
Brad Lord will start for the Nationals with an ERA of 3.39. He has shown he can keep the game close. With hitters like James Wood, who has 24 home runs this season, the Nationals have the power to support their pitching and win the game.
The Astros Can Win If…
The Houston Astros are ready to turn things around after a tough series against the Athletics. Despite the recent loss of 1-7, the Astros showed promise with seven hits, including three extra-base hits. Chas McCormick and Mauricio Dubón were among the key players contributing to the offense with their doubles.
Looking at the season stats, the Astros have a strong batting average of .257, ranking them second in the league. Their ability to get on base is evident with a .320 on-base percentage, placing them seventh. The team also ranks first in strikeouts with 1,015, showing their pitching staff’s capability to dominate opposing hitters.
Framber Valdez is set to start for the Astros, bringing an impressive ERA of 2.67 and a record of 11-4. Valdez’s performance on the mound can provide the stability the team needs. With players like Isaac Paredes and Jeremy Peña hitting consistently, the Astros have the tools to secure a win against the Nationals.
Astros Seek Reset at Home vs Nationals After Costly Sweep
The Houston Astros return to Minute Maid Park on Monday needing a spark. After being swept at home by the Oakland Athletics — their third home sweep of the season — Houston finds itself in unfamiliar territory, having lost nine of its last ten at home.
Despite returning from a strong 4-2 road trip, the Astros couldn’t sustain momentum and dropped four straight to an Athletics squad that entered the series in last place. Now, Houston will host another struggling opponent in the Washington Nationals, hoping to right the ship before their postseason chances slip further.
Framber Valdez Looks to Extend Dominance on the Mound
If there’s one bright spot in the Astros’ current stretch, it’s Framber Valdez, who will take the mound in the series opener. The left-hander has quietly pieced together one of the most impressive runs in baseball, going 10-0 with a 1.86 ERA over his last 13 starts. Houston has won all 13 of those games.
Valdez was sharp in his last outing, holding the Diamondbacks to one run over seven innings. He has also been highly effective against Washington in the past, boasting a 1.23 ERA across two career starts. He’ll aim to continue that trend Monday night.
For more insight on Valdez and other potential MLB betting picks tonight, check out the latest projections on Scores and Stats.
Offensive Woes Mount for Houston at Home
Over four games against Oakland, the Astros managed just three hits in 29 chances with runners in scoring position and stranded 22 men on base. Manager Joe Espada expressed frustration but remained focused on making quick adjustments.
“We’ve got to go through our game planning and be better in certain spots where we have people on base,” Espada said. “We have to flush that one out and get ready for the Nationals.”
That failure to capitalize has become a theme at home lately, and correcting it will be crucial if Houston hopes to get back into the MLB standings conversation down the stretch.
Brad Lord Makes First Career Start vs Astros
The Nationals will counter with rookie Brad Lord, making just his eighth start of the season. While Lord has mostly worked out of the bullpen, he’s allowed only one run in his past two outings. However, Monday marks his first career appearance against Houston, a lineup hungry to snap out of its slump.
Lord carries a 3.39 ERA but has struggled in starts, posting a 4.15 ERA across 30 1/3 innings. He’ll need to be sharp against a Houston team desperate to capitalize on a young arm.
Nationals Gaining Confidence After Road Series Wins
Washington arrives in Houston with a bit of momentum after winning back-to-back road series, including a rubber match win in Minnesota on Sunday. CJ Abrams provided the spark with a leadoff homer, and the Nationals followed with a complete effort in a 7-2 win.
“It shows that we’re beating good teams and that we’re a good team ourselves,” Abrams said.
With their confidence growing and the Astros reeling at home, the Nationals have a real opportunity to pull off another upset — but they’ll have to do it against one of the hottest pitchers in baseball.
For a full breakdown of the rosters and upcoming matchups, visit the MLB teams index or explore deeper strategy in the expert betting guide.
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The Lean
The Astros are favored with a moneyline of -232. The Nationals are at +193. Given the Astros’ strong pitching stats with an ERA of 3.73 and the Nationals’ weaker hitting, the pick is for the Astros to win. The model projects the Astros to win 5-3.
The total is set at 7.5 runs. The Astros’ pitching ranks high, while the Nationals’ pitching struggles with an ERA of 5.11. The model projects a total of 8 runs, suggesting taking the over at 7.5.
