Washington Nationals at Houston Astros: July 28, 2025 MLB Game Preview

Monday, July 28th, 2025

Washington Nationals (43-62, fifth in the NL East) vs. Houston Astros (60-46, first in the AL West)

Houston; Monday, July 28, 2025, 7:10 p.m. CT (8:10 p.m. EDT)

Pitching Probables

Nationals: Brad Lord (2-5, 3.39 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 57 strikeouts)

Astros: Framber Valdez (11-4, 2.67 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 129 strikeouts)

Astros -232, Nationals +190; over/under is 7 1/2 runs

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.

Washington has a 43-62 record overall and a 22-31 record in road games. Nationals hitters have a collective .389 slugging percentage to rank ninth in the NL.

The teams meet Monday for the first time this season.

Top Performers

Jose Altuve has 17 doubles, a triple and 17 home runs while hitting .280 for the Astros. Brice Matthews is 5 for 32 with three home runs over the last 10 games.

James Wood has 21 doubles and 24 home runs while hitting .263 for the Nationals. Josh Bell is 12 for 39 with two doubles and two home runs over the last 10 games.

Last 10 Games

Astros: 4-6, .241 batting average, 4.89 ERA, outscored by 17 runs

Nationals: 5-5, .235 batting average, 4.19 ERA, outscored by five runs

Injuries

Astros: Brandon Walter: 15-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers: 15-Day IL (finger), Brendan Rodgers: 60-Day IL (oblique), Isaac Paredes: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jake Meyers: 10-Day IL (calf), Zach Dezenzo: 60-Day IL (hand), Yordan Alvarez: 60-Day IL (hand), Luis Guillorme: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jeremy Pena: 10-Day IL (rib), Jacob Melton: 10-Day IL (ankle), Shawn Dubin: 15-Day IL (forearm), Pedro Leon: 60-Day IL (knee), Spencer Arrighetti: 60-Day IL (thumb), Ronel Blanco: 60-Day IL (elbow), Hayden Wesneski: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (elbow), J.P. France: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Nationals: Dylan Crews: 60-Day IL (back), Trevor Williams: 60-Day IL (elbow), Keibert Ruiz: 7-Day IL (concussion), Derek Law: 60-Day IL (forearm), DJ Herz: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josiah Gray: 60-Day IL (elbow)

In summary

The Washington Nationals (43-62) are set to face the Houston Astros (60-46) on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Minute Maid Park, with the game starting at 7:10 p.m. CT. The Astros, currently leading the AL West, will look to end a five-game home losing streak. Houston's Framber Valdez (11-4, 2.67 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Washington's Brad Lord (2-5, 3.39 ERA). Key offensive contributors include Jose Altuve for the Astros and James Wood for the Nationals. The Astros are favored with an over/under of 7 1/2 runs, and this game marks the first meeting between the two teams this season.

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