The last time we put together a World Series game prediction, the series was headed up to Washington, D.C., with the Nationals having taken a shocking 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, and holding all of the momentum. Then Houston showed up for the series, winning the three games in Washington by a combined score of 19-3, and with the Nationals potentially having lost ace Max Scherzer for the rest of the postseason. Gerrit Cole was back to his usual self for the Astros in Game 5, throwing seven mystifying innings as the Astros had their way with the Nationals in a 7-1 win. Now the series shifts back to the Lone Star State for Games 6 and 7 (if necessary). Can the Nationals find the magic that propelled them to two wins the first time they came to Texas in this series? Or will the Astros close things out on Tuesday night? We have your MLB betting preview right here.
Nationals vs Astros 2019 World Series Game 6 Odds & Expert Pick
When: Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 8:07 pm ET Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston TV: FOX Radio: ESPN Radio Live Stream: FOX Sports GO MLB Odds: Houston -180 / Washington +156 / O/U 7.5 Projected Pitching Matchup: Stephen Strasburg (4-0, 1.93 ERA) (WAS) vs Justin Verlander (1-3, 4.15 ERA) (HOU)Why should you bet on the Nationals?
Stephen Strasburg has made five appearances for Washington in this postseason, including four starts, and the Nationals have won all five of those games. In Game 2 of this World Series, he threw six innings of two-run, seven-hit ball, striking out seven. It is true that Washington did not pull ahead until that bizarre seventh inning that saw them knock Verlander out of the game and roll to a 12-3 rout, but Strasburg got the team that far. He has shown nothing but ace-quality stuff in these playoffs and has the mental strength to put together another effort like that on the road.
If Washington wins, that would be the first time that the road team had won each of the first six games in a World Series. Moving back to Texas means that Washington gets the DH back into the lineup, which likely means Asdrubal Cabrera is starting again, at second base, while Howie Kendrick is the DH. Catcher Kurt Suzuki, who hit that solo blast off Verlander in Game 2, could start at catcher as his hip seems to have improved. Knowing that Strasburg beat Verlander in the last matchup should give Washington confidence even after seeing their offense shredded in the last three games. And if Max Scherzer, scratched from Game 5, could pitch in Game 7, truly anything could happen.
Why should you put your money on the Astros?
Washington’s bats have gone ice cold since the last game in Texas. In Games 3-5, Washington’s hitters have gone 17 for 97. With runners in scoring position, they have gone 1 for 21. Yes, they have faced Gerrit Cole over that stretch, but they also got shut down by the likes of Jose Urquidy. If the Nationals’ hitters keep pressing, they will continue to struggle mightily.
But what about Verlander? To be sure, he didn’t falter until the seventh inning of Game 2. However, he has given up six home runs in his last four playoff starts, along with eight walks and 24 hits. So he hasn’t been throwing “ace” stuff. Washington will be looking for any sort of break, so if Verlander leaves a fastball out over the plate or a hanging offspeed pitch, they will be ready to pound it. However, they will have to do a lot of pounding to score more than Houston has been the last three games.
Final Score Prediction
The idea of Washington mounting a comeback is an interesting one, but they have simply lain down for Houston the last three games. I see Houston kicking the lifeless Nationals over the edge and finishing off this series with a 7-3 win.
