Its Monday, July 28 and the Nationals (43-62) are in Houston to open a series against a suddenly scuffling Astros team (60-46). Brad Lord is slated to take the mound for Washington against Framber Valdez for Houston.

A fifth-inning RBI double from Mauricio Dubón comprised their only offense Monday. The Nationals own the highest bullpen ERA in the sport and used five pitchers in the opener of this three-game series. They scattered two singles and two doubles.

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros take on the Washington Nationals after losing five games in a row. Houston is 33-24 at home and 60-47 overall. Astros hitters have a collective .320 on-base percentage, the sixth-ranked percentage in the AL.

The Houston Astros have dominated the American League West for most of the last decade. Outside of the COVID-19 shortened campaign in 2020, they have finished i

Houston was on a four-game winning streak before taking a series opening loss to the Athletics, 5-2 and vice versa, the win snapped a four-game losing streak for the A’s. The Astros are 4-3 versus the A’s this season.

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros are looking to break their five-game home slide with a win against the Washington Nationals. Houston has a 33-23 record at home and a 60-46 record overall. The Astros have gone 33-7 in games when they scored at least five runs.