World Series Game 1 Odds: Astros Open as -190 Favorites Over Nationals

• The 2019 World Series will be played between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros
• Game 1 will take place Tuesday, October 22 at 8:08pm ET
• With Cole starting pitching, Houston is the favorite to win the first game in the series

The Houston Astros take on the Washington Nationals at home this Tuesday (Oct. 22nd) in Game 1 of the World Series.

After sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals, the Nationals come into this series well-rested, having not played a game since October 15th. The Astros advanced last night after beating the New York Yankees, taking the series 4-2.

The Nationals vs Astros odds are pretty much as expected, and with home-field advantage on their side, look forward to the Astros coming out of Game 1 with a win. We break down why below.

World Series Game 1 Odds

*Odds taken 10/20/19

Starting Pitching

The Nationals will be putting Max Scherzer on the mound for Game 1. He’ll be going out there on nine days’ rest after pitching in Game 2 of the NLCS.

Scherzer is currently 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA this postseason, following phenomenal back-to-back outings. During his two starts, he allowed one run of five hits and five walks while recording 18 strikeouts in just 14 innings of work. In his career, Scherzer has had one World Series outing where he struck out eight, while giving up three runs in 6.1 innings.

Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg are likely to start World Series Games 1 & 2, respectively. https://t.co/9Ofmg7LnbQ

— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) October 19, 2019

Gerrit Cole will be taking the mound in Game 1 for the Astros. Houston has been able to win each of Cole’s last 16 starts. He has had an impressive postseason posting a 3-0 record with 0.40 ERA. In his last 25 starts, he’s 19-0, has a 1.59 ERA and 258 strikeouts.

It makes sense that the Astros would put him on the mound for Game 1, but it doesn’t get easier in Game 2, when the Astros expect to play Justin Verlander the following game.

CAN'T BE BEAT.

Gerrit Cole is now 19-0 in his last 25 starts. pic.twitter.com/zNYnS3VwHe

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 15, 2019

Offensive Lineup

The Nationals don’t have as deep of lineup as the Houston Astros do. But, they do have enough power to put up some solid run support in Game 1.

Look to have Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto be consistent throughout the series, and keep your eyes on Howie Kendrick, NLCS MVP. He is expected to bring what he was doing in the NLCS to this World Series.

The Astros definitely have the upper hand with their lineup going into Game 1. Houston have AL MVP candidate, Alex Bregman, and multi-MVP Jose Altuve leading their group.

They will need to find a way to get their bats going early in and to not leave runners on base. This is no easy task for their hitters, with Scherzer on the mound for the Nats, but if the Astros find a way, they could knock Scherzer out early on in the game.

José the hero. #CLINCHED pic.twitter.com/2zzalB42tW

— MLB (@MLB) October 20, 2019

Bullpen

The Nats bullpen was garbage during the regular season, but was a crucial part of their recent success, and something they’re going to need to rely on starting this series. In their four games in the NLCS their bullpen pitched 9.1 innings and allowed just one run.

Washington is not the only team taking advantage of the bullpen, however. The Astros used a lot of their bullpen in the series against the Yankees. Depending on how the bats are for the Nationals, don’t be surprised if the Astros go to their bullpen earlier than expected.

Pick: Astros (-190)