A tantalizing Fall Classic matchup between Houston and Washington is set to determine the next MLB champion. Here’s a complete guide to World Series matchup — spoiler: it’s going to be a close one despite what the betting odds indicate. Don’t miss out on our free expert advice and pick!
A rollercoaster MLB season has finally lead us to this juicy championship matchup with the following World Series odds:
With that, Houston is currently being given the best odds to win World Series since 2007 when Boston was staggering -240 favorites over Colorado. However, upon a closer look into the matchup, Washington is seriously being overlooked.
Before we get to that and our World Series picks, a quick reminder to leverage these bettor-friendly bonus promotions. Doing so will turn a good World Series win payout into a really great one.
Online sportsbooks haven't been high on Washington's 2019 World Series odds much of the year, little less after a 19-31 start to the season — a post-Bryce Harper hangover, anyone? However, its current +185 betting line is a complete oversight.
Here's one big reason why that's the case — this team is scorching hot. We often hear winning in the playoffs is about peaking at the right time. If that's so (which history says it is), the Nationals fit the bill and more.
Get this, Washington finished the regular season on a red-hot 74-38 run — the equivalent of winning 107 games over a full season.
That win total would've tied Houston for most wins across the majors in 2019. Its streakiness has only continued in the postseason, evident by its four-game NLCS sweep of St. Louis, in which they outscored the Cardinals 20-6.
There's just something about this Nationals club that screams, "never say die." Its season was on life support, not only 50 games into the year, but twice in the playoffs too.
The first coming in the wildcard game versus Milwaukee, in a 3-1 hole in the bottom of the eighth inning. The second against the highly-favored Dodgers during the NLDS, down two games to one and facing elimination.
Each time, Washington rose to the occasion in stunning fashion — just ask Clayton Kershaw. No matter what anyone says, a 7-2 playoff mark is no fluke. This club, making its first-ever World Series appearance, are serious threats.
If you go up and down these two team's rosters, there are more similarities than differences.
The main resemblance coming in both's starting pitching rotation, which is lined with one ace after another. For the Astros, they'll go three-deep with Gerrit Cole (3-0 this postseason with an eye-popping 0.40 ERA), Justin Verlander (2011 AL MVP), and Zack Grienke (2009 AL Cy Young winner).
Washington's starting unit is every bit as nasty. Game 1 starter Max Scherzer has more Cy Youngs by himself (three) than Houston's trio combined (two). The Nats are loaded enough to go four deep here with Stephen Strasburg (team-high in wins and strikeouts), Patrick Corbin (3.25 ERA in the regular season), and Anibal Sanchez (3.85 ERA in-season).
Between the seven probable starting pitchers, here's how much hardware and accolades the group has combined for — 29 All-Star appearances, 5 Cy Youngs, and 5 ERA titles.
It's a funny turn of events considering the 2019 MLB season we've just had. Home run records were smashed left and right, stirring up one headline after another of baseball's "juiced ball" era. But in the end, dominant pitching still paved the way for both league winners.
Not that either can't hit with the best of them, though. Matter of fact, Houston might be the very best at it. They ranked tops or near tops in most major offensive categories — OPS (first), runs (third), hits (third), and homers (third again).
Admittedly, this Nats lineup doesn't have the same star - and fire-power of the Astros. However, it has come alive this postseason. Despite playing one fewer game than Houston, Washington has more runs, hits, and a better team batting average over the playoffs.
Coincidentally (or not at this point), both offenses are lead by a pair of MVP candidates at third base. Houston's Alex Bregman belted 41 homers, led the majors in walks at 119, all while hitting .296/.423/.592 (batting average/OBP/slugging).
For Washington, Anthony Rendon averaged .319/.412/.598 and drove in more RBIs (126) than anyone else in the league.
We've spent this entire article stating our case for the little-known Nats and we're not about to let up.
Beyond the overwhelming momentum it's carrying and a well-balanced roster, there's one more edge Washington has over Houston: rest.
When Game 1 gets underway on Tuesday, the Nats will have rested a full week since its NL title-clinching victory over St. Louis. The Astros? They'll have two days off since sending the Yankees home. It's a slight advantage, but in an even-even series like this one, you take every upper hand you can get.
Nats is our World Series winner. This team has proven naysayers wrong time and time again this season. Now, facing the longest championship odds in 12 years, what's one more time? Prepare for an upset!
Betting pick to make: Washington (+185)
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