Astros vs Nationals: The Best MLB Bet to Make for Wednesday Night

The Astros/Nationals o9.5 looks like one of the best bets on the slate tonight at Nationals Park. Spencer Arrighetti (7-4, 3.81 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) brings a solid but hittable profile to the mound. He’s shown the ability to miss bats (79 K in 78 IP), but he’s also issued walks and allowed hard contact at times, particularly when his fastball isn’t locating. Against a Nationals lineup that’s been one of the more productive groups in the NL this season, he’ll face plenty of dangerous bats.

On the other side, Foster Griffin has been excellent (roughly 2.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP), but he’s a lefty working in a park that can play up for right-handed power, and the Astros boast serious thump — led by Yordan Alvarez, who continues to mash at an elite level. Houston’s offense has enough pop (Alvarez, Christian Walker, etc.) to punish mistakes, while Washington’s young core (James Wood, CJ Abrams, Luis García Jr.) has been scoring runs at a strong clip.

Nationals Park in mid-July typically offers hitter-friendly conditions. Hot, humid air helps fly balls carry, and the venue has shown slightly above-average run factors in recent seasons. Add in the fact that the Nationals’ bullpen has posted one of the higher ERAs in baseball, and any lead or close game late could turn into a slugfest once the starters exit.

The series opener was already a high-scoring affair (double digits combined), signaling that these lineups are clicking. With two starters who aren’t elite run suppressors, power bats on both sides, favorable weather, and a shaky home bullpen, the ingredients are there for another offensive outburst. Expect runs to flow freely — the over 9.5 is the sharp side.