The World Series is often a stage for heroes to emerge for the first time, and Juan Soto was that hero for the Washington Nationals in Game 1 of the 2019 World Series. He hit a home run to deep left field, up onto the train tracks at Minute Maid Park, and he added a two-run double, as the Nationals became the first team in this year’s postseason to solve Houston’s Gerrit Cole, grabbing a 5-4 road win to open the World Series. Now Justin Verlander and Stephen Strasburg will start Game 2 for Houston and Washington, respectively, as the pressure tightens on the Astros to avoid heading to Washington down two games to none — and with Zack Greinke, historically unreliable in the postseason, set to start Game 3. Can the Astros get the split? Or will Washington’s six-game postseason winning streak continue? Don’t miss our World Series betting preview.
Nationals vs Astros 2019 World Series Game 2 Odds & Pick
When: Wednesday, October 23, 2019, 8:07 pm ET
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
TV: FOX
Radio: ESPN Radio
Live Stream: ESPN+MLB Odds: Houston -185 / Washington +165 / O/U 7.5Projected Pitching Matchup: Stephen Strasburg (3-0, 1.64 ERA) (WAS) vs Justin Verlander (1-2, 3.70 ERA) (HOU)
Why should you bet on the Nationals?
There were some concerns that Washington might come in with some rust after sweeping their National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, but instead they showed the poise that comes with rest and momentum. They will start Stephen Strasburg in Game 2; in his last start, he threw seven shutout innings against the Cardinals, striking out a dozen. On the road, Strasburg started 19 games this season, posting an 8-4 record and a 3.39 ERA.
As far as starting pitching goes, Washington has the advantage in this game going in, as Verlander has struggled to maintain consistency in the postseason. Even the Washington bullpen proved solid in the Game 1 win, preserving what was a 5-3 lead to keep that 5-4 win. If you believe in the power of momentum, Washington certainly has it right now, and the collective confidence of the Houston Astros could be fraying.
Why should you put your money on the Astros?
Despite his struggles in the postseason, Justin Verlander has been solid at Minute Maid Park this season, posting a 10-4 record with a 2.34 ERA in 17 home starts. He is a veteran of many playoff seasons, not just with Houston but also during the successful years that the Detroit Tigers had at the end of the 2000’s and the start of the 2010’s.
Houston also has a lot of clutch bats in their lineup. Jose Altuve clubbed the game-winning home run in Game 6 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees, George Springer hit a monster shot in Game 1 last night, and Carlos Correa has found his postseason hitting form as well. As dominant as Scherzer was, and as dominant as Strasburg can be, the Houston batters will get pitches they can hit, and eventually they will come through. If you like the Astros, you see Strasburg struggling with control — as Cole did for the Astros in Game 1, even the best starting pitchers will eventually have a game that is less than dominant — and the Astros taking advantage.
Final Score Prediction
Washington has now won six straight postseason games — Game 5 of the NLDS, all four games of the NLCS and the opener of this World Series. I don’t think that the Nationals will be able to pull off the sweep, but they have shown the have the bats to counter Houston’s top pitcher in Cole. They also have the bats to take on Verlander, whose stuff is not quite as dominant as Cole’s — and they have all the momentum right now. I predict a final score of Washington 5, Houston 3.
