Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals Picks and Prediction for Tuesday, July 7, 2026

By: David Anicetti Published 07/07/2026, 12:10 AM ET

The Houston Astros visit the Washington Nationals on Tuesday at 6:45 PM ET at Nationals Park, with coverage on MLB.TV. Houston is 45-47 and sits third in the AL West, 2.5 games behind Seattle, while Washington is 46-45 and fourth in the NL East, 7.5 games behind Atlanta. The Astros have won two straight after taking the final two games of their series against Tampa Bay, while the Nationals have dropped two consecutive games after losing two over the weekend to Pittsburgh. Cash in a winner with our free MLB picks.

Houston Astros Preview

Houston ranks 18th in MLB with a .241 team batting average but continues to generate offense through power, hitting 122 home runs while scoring 413 runs. Yordan Alvarez has been one of baseball's most dangerous hitters, batting .320 with 29 home runs and 67 RBI. Christian Walker has added 20 home runs and 57 RBI, while Isaac Paredes has contributed 12 home runs. Jose Altuve continues to provide veteran production near the top of the order.

The Astros have struggled on the mound throughout the season. Houston ranks 26th in MLB with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP while allowing opponents to hit .240. The pitching staff has recorded only 26 quality starts through 91 games, and inconsistency has prevented Houston from climbing above .500 despite its productive lineup.

Injuries: Braden Shewmake (10-Day IL), Jeremy Peña (10-Day IL), Lance McCullers Jr. (15-Day IL), Bennett Sousa (60-Day IL).

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Washington Nationals Preview

Washington has quietly put together one of the better offensive seasons in baseball. The Nationals rank ninth in MLB with a .249 batting average while scoring 485 runs and hitting 125 home runs. James Wood leads the club with 23 home runs and a .393 on-base percentage, while Luis Garcia Jr. is batting .282 with 19 home runs and 64 RBI. CJ Abrams has added 18 home runs, giving Washington multiple middle-of-the-order threats.

Washington's pitching numbers have been less consistent. The Nationals rank 25th in MLB with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP, although Andrew Alvarez has provided stability in the rotation. The left-hander has posted a 3.05 ERA over 41.1 innings and gives Washington a favorable matchup against a Houston lineup that has been inconsistent away from home.

Injuries: Jacob Young (Day-To-Day), Max Kranick (60-Day IL), Cade Cavalli (Day-To-Day), Richard Lovelady (15-Day IL), Jake Irvin (15-Day IL).

Pitching Matchup

Houston Astros – Tatsuya Imai (RHP)

Imai enters with a 5-4 record, a 6.14 ERA, and a 1.47 WHIP across 48.1 innings. He has struck out 60 batters but has issued 30 walks while allowing eight home runs.

Washington Nationals – Andrew Alvarez (LHP)

Alvarez is 2-1 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 41.1 innings. He has struck out 48 batters while allowing only two home runs this season.

Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals Prediction

Washington has the stronger overall matchup entering Tuesday. The Nationals own the more productive offense, Andrew Alvarez has been far more reliable than Tatsuya Imai, and Houston's pitching staff has struggled for much of the season. Final Score Prediction: Washington Nationals win 6-4.