Washington (74-48) at Houston (76-48)
When: Tuesday, August 22nd 2017
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
Time: 8:10 ET | TV: MASN 2, SportsNet Southwest
Opening Odds: Houston -153/9
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The Washington Nationals and Houston Astros basically wrapped-up their respective divisions by the All-Star Break and are looking forward to getting healthy and playing well heading into October. They will begin a three-game interleague series on Tuesday night in Houston. Houston leads the American League West by 12 games entering Monday’s action while the Nats lead the NL East by 14. Washington began its seven-game road trip by taking three of four from the San Diego Padres behind solid pitching, allowing just six runs in the four-game series. Overall, the Nationals staff has allowed three or fewer runs in seven straight games and 10 of the last 11. The Astros pitched well over the weekend as well, allowing a total of one run in two wins over the Oakland Athletics on Friday and Saturday. They failed to complete the sweep on Sunday, falling 3-2 in the finale. Houston, which won four of its last six games, are hoping to have a full roster again in a few weeks. Catcher Evan Gattis (concussion), RHP Will Harris (shoulder) and LHP Tony Sipp (calf) are expected to begin rehab assignments at Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday, while star shortstop Carlos Correa (thumb) is expected to take on-field batting practice Tuesday for the first time since going on the disabled list July 17th. On Washington’s injury front, OF Jayson Werth (fractured foot) and SS Trea Turner (fractured wrist) begin rehab assignments at Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.
Pitchers: Nationals – Tanner Roark (9-8, 4.70 ERA) | Astros – Charlie Morton (10-5, 3.69)
Tanner Roark hopes to get a little more run support this time around after allowing three runs in seven innings on Wednesday, but taking the loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Roark has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last three starts despite recording just 11 strikeouts in that span. Roark won his lone previous start against Houston and is 6-7 with a 2.94 ERA in 18 career interleague games.
Charlie Morton is on a bit of a roll lately, going 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in his last five starts. He struck out nine Diamondbacks on Wednesday while allowing just one run and three hits over 6.1 innings. Roark has 119 strikeouts in 107.1 innings this season and needs just eight more to set a career high in the category. Morton spent his first nine seasons in the National League and is 2-4 with a 6.27 ERA in eight starts against Washington.
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Both these clubs are missing key parts of their lineup and it’s showing. At the same time, the pitching staff has really picked up the slack and has been terrific. I expect a low-scoring affair here tonight, so take the under.
Pick: Under 9 +100
TRENDS:
- Nationals are 6-0 in their last 6 during game 1 of a series.
- Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
- Nationals are 10-3 in their last 13 Tuesday games.
- Nationals are 19-7 in their last 26 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Nationals are 8-3 in their last 11 overall.
- Nationals are 8-3 in their last 11 games on grass.
- Nationals are 13-5 in their last 18 games following an off day.
- Nationals are 40-18 in their last 58 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Nationals are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. American League West.
- Nationals are 2-5 in their last 7 interleague games.
- Nationals are 2-6 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Nationals are 0-4 in their last 4 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Nationals are 4-1 in Roark’s last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Nationals are 6-2 in Roark’s last 8 starts with 5 days of rest.
- Nationals are 8-3 in Roark’s last 11 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Nationals are 5-2 in Roark’s last 7 road starts.
- Nationals are 10-4 in Roark’s last 14 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
- Nationals are 1-4 in Roark’s last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Nationals are 1-5 in Roark’s last 6 Tuesday starts.
- Astros are 9-1 in their last 10 vs. National League East.
- Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 games following an off day.
- Astros are 7-2 in their last 9 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Astros are 16-6 in their last 22 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Astros are 15-6 in their last 21 Tuesday games.
- Astros are 38-16 in their last 54 interleague games.
- Astros are 19-8 in their last 27 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Astros are 36-16 in their last 52 games following a loss.
- Astros are 13-6 in their last 19 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Astros are 59-29 in their last 88 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Astros are 2-5 in their last 7 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Astros are 3-11 in their last 14 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
- Under is 5-0 in Nationals last 5 games following an off day.
- Under is 4-0-1 in Nationals last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Nationals last 4 road games.
- Under is 6-0-1 in Nationals last 7 games following a win.
- Under is 6-0-1 in Nationals last 7 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 7-0 in Nationals last 7 vs. American League West.
- Under is 8-0 in Nationals last 8 interleague games.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Nationals last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 8-1-2 in Nationals last 11 overall.
- Under is 8-1-2 in Nationals last 11 on grass.
- Under is 18-7-1 in Nationals last 26 during game 1 of a series.
- Over is 5-2 in Nationals last 7 interleague road games.
- Over is 11-5 in Nationals last 16 Tuesday games.
- Under is 5-0 in Roark’s last 5 starts with 5 days of rest.
- Under is 4-0 in Roark’s last 4 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Under is 5-0 in Roark’s last 5 starts on grass.
- Under is 5-0 in Roark’s last 5 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 5-0 in Roark’s last 5 starts overall.
- Under is 8-1 in Roark’s last 9 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Roark’s last 6 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Under is 18-7-1 in Roark’s last 26 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 15-7-2 in Roark’s last 24 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Astros last 4 on grass.
- Under is 4-0 in Astros last 4 home games.
- Under is 6-0-1 in Astros last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
- Under is 4-0 in Astros last 4 overall.
- Over is 8-1-2 in Astros last 11 games following an off day.
- Under is 5-1 in Astros last 6 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Astros last 7 games following a loss.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Astros last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Over is 13-3 in Astros last 16 during game 1 of a series.
- Over is 4-1 in Astros last 5 vs. National League East.
- Over is 4-1 in Astros last 5 interleague home games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Over is 6-2 in Astros last 8 Tuesday games.
- Under is 19-7-1 in Astros last 27 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 10-4 in Astros last 14 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 7-3 in Astros last 10 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Under is 14-6-4 in Astros last 24 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- Under is 13-6-1 in Astros last 20 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Houston.
- Nationals are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings in Houston.
- Nationals are 17-4 in the last 21 meetings.
- Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
