The Astros took a needed step Tuesday night, and now they get one more crack at the Nationals with a chance to leave Washington having won the series.
Houston’s 6-3 win over Washington pushed the club to 46-48, and with the American League still sitting there for the taking, the margin for error is simple: keep stacking wins. Tuesday’s result checked that box.
Tatsuya Imai wasn’t sharp, but the Astros picked him up with a strong team effort. Nick Allen stood out, and the bullpen did its part to finish the job.
Wednesday brings a tougher test. The Nationals are sending Foster Griffin to the mound, and he’s been excellent in his first season in Washington after three years in Japan.
Griffin has a 2.87 ERA over 103 1/3 innings, with 100 strikeouts and only 26 walks. That’s the kind of profile that can make a lineup work for every inch.
Houston will counter with Spencer Arrighetti, who is 7-4 with a 3.81 ERA.
The Astros’ lineup for the series finale is Jose Altuve at second, Yordan Alvarez at designated hitter, Isaac Paredes at third, Christian Walker at first, Cam Smith in right, Yainer Diaz behind the plate, Brice Matthews in center, Zach Dezenzo in left and Nick Allen at shortstop.
The game is set for Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., with first pitch at 5:45 p.m. CDT.
It will air on Space City Home Network for the Astros and Nationals.TV for Washington. On the radio, Astros coverage is on KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2 and KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM, while the Nationals will be on WJFK 106.7 The Fan.
A few Astros matchups stand out in this one.
Allen is coming off a big night, driving in three runs and reaching base twice in Tuesday’s win. He was also the only Houston hitter who had faced Tuesday’s Nationals starter, Andrew Alvarez, before that game.
That won’t be the case Wednesday. Griffin is new territory for everyone in the Astros lineup, which makes Allen’s ability to keep the offense moving even more important.
Walker is another name to watch. He has struggled against left-handed pitching this season, and Griffin gives Houston another lefty problem to solve. If Walker can break through there, it changes the shape of the lineup.
And then there’s Altuve, who usually sets the tone at the top. Against a pitcher like Griffin, that job matters even more.
If Altuve gets Houston moving early, the Astros are in much better position to handle a pitcher who has been tough to crack. If he doesn’t, the rest of the night gets a lot harder.
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