MLB World Series baseball: Houston Astros v Washington Nationals - odds & tips

Free World Series baseball tips, stats, odds & predictions as Houston Astros take on Washington Nationals.

When to watch

Game one, BT Sport 1, 1.08am Wednesday

Best bets

Houston to win 4-1
0.5pt 9-2 Sky Bet

Houston to win 4-2
0.5pt 16-5 Hills

World Series preview

The World Series begins on Tuesday night, and the Houston Astros are the hot favourites to win their second Fall Classic in three years.

Washington have been the underdogs throughout the playoffs but have kept defying expectations.

After squeezing past Milwaukee in the National League Wild Card match, they nicked a close series with the NL favourites LA Dodgers 3-2 before having a much easier time in a 4-0 sweep of the St Louis Cardinals.

There are things to like about the Nationals. Their starting pitching has been incredible with a combined post-season earned-run average for their starters of 2.04. This is mostly down to the excellence of Max Scherzer – who takes the mound in game one – and Stephen Strasbourg.

The problem is there is a lot of pressure on that outstanding pair to perform because the Nationals bullpen is so poor. Only one team had a higher bullpen ERA in the regular season, and although their fantastic starting pitching has kept them from participating in many games during the playoffs, their relief staff have managed to rack up an ugly 4.76 in the post-season.

The Astros have a much more balanced look about them and are rightly favourites to take the title.

Their starters are also top class, with Gerrit Cole – who has allowed just one run in 22 playoff innings and who starts the series for the Astros – and Justin Verlander, being two of the American League's best.

Although the Nationals' offence has been good in recent months, the Astros outscored them in the regular season and certainly have the edge in power, with Jose Altuve, George Springer and Carlos Correa all hitting multiple long balls in the playoffs.

Houston clearly have the superior bullpen, are arguably better in defence too, and there are no obvious weaknesses.

Punters who took Racing Post Sport's advice to back the Astros at the start of the playoffs at 9-4 will need no further involvement in the series. So for those that didn't, and given the quality of Washington's starters, a small play on correct scores of 4-1 and 4-2 should provide an interest and also a profit.

For more American sports analysis and tips, visit www.pickswise.com

Already advised

Houston to win World Series
3pts 9-4 Sky Bet

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