MLB World Series Game 5 Odds and Betting Picks: Astros vs. Nationals
Jose Urquidy starred in Game 4 as the Astros knotted up the World Series at 2-2. Urquidy turned in five stellar innings while the Astros offense came alive against Patrick Corbin and company. The Nationals will look to stem the tide with their last home game of the series. Here is a quick breakdown and betting picks for Game 5 of the World Series.
World Series Game 5 Odds and Betting Picks — Astros at Nationals
- Houston Astros – 152 at FanDuel
- Washington Nationals +135 at PointsBet
- Total Runs: 7
After winning a close Game 3 affair, the Astros had everything working in Game 4 in Washington, D.C. Jose Urquidy stymied the Nationals’ offense over five shutout innings. Urquidy struck out four while only allowing two baserunners. The Astros than turned to several bullpen arms that held the Nats to one run over the last four innings. Perhaps the more impressive performance came from the offense.
If you are still playing MLB DFS, Alex Bregman was a necessary piece in any winning lineup for Game 4. Bregman opened scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and closed scoring with a Grand Slam in the top of the 7th. Bregman had struggled — relatively speaking — over the first few contests but came alive when the Astros really needed the offense. Robinson Chirinos chipped in with a double and a two-run home run of his own and seemed locked in at the plate.
Gerrit Cole gets the nod for the Astros in tonight’s pivotal contest looking to improve upon a sub-par performance in Game 1 — certainly by his standard. While Cole struck out six, the ace gave up five earned runs on eight hits over seven innings. Juan Soto played the role of a thorn in Cole’s side, homering and doubling off of the Astros’ star. Cole had not given up more than four runs in any start since a start against the White Sox in May. The Astros will hope Cole returns to form to put the Nationals on the brink of elimination prior to traveling back to Houston.
The Nationals will counter with their own ace as Max Scherzer gets his second start in the series. Scherzer was not in top form in Game 1, either, pitching five innings of two-run baseball. Scherzer struck out seven and was somehow able to tiptoe around eight baserunners during his start. The Nationals will look for the start Scherzer produced in the NLCS when he held the Cardinals scoreless and struck out 11 batters.
The Nationals lineup made Jose Urquidy and the Astros bullpen appear to be Cy Young last night and will face a much tougher test this evening. The home crowd will be on fire with this representing fans’ last chance to support their home team. That said, the Nationals lineup will need to take advantage of the crowd energy and get on top of Cole early. Awaiting the Nationals if they lose this home game will be Justin Verlander in Game 6 — not an ideal situation. Instead, a victory tonight means two chances to sew up the World Series. Juan Soto, for me, will be the wild card. Soto already has several great pressure-packed moments for the Nationals. Tonight, he could add another.
World Series Game 5 Betting Picks — Astros at Nationals
I do not see this game playing out much differently than Game 1. I do think this game stays close with both pitchers bouncing back from average starts in their first turn. Max Scherzer seems to live to compete — I cannot imagine he is not in top form in front of his home crowd in such a pivotal situation. That said, Gerrit Cole has been stellar notwithstanding Game 1 — the two studs could trade strikeouts for seven innings or more. With all of that said, I will take the value in +135 in what feels like a must-win situation for the Nationals, tonight. Max will barely outlast Cole and the Nationals offense will string together a few clutch hits.
World Series Game 5 Pick — Nationals +135 (PointsBet)
World Series Game 5 Betting Picks — Player Props
Don’t live in a state with legal online sports betting? Click the following link to make MLB player prop picks at Monkey Knife Fight and get a $500 deposit bonus using the promo code GRINDERS.
Monkey Knife Fight Player Props
To 2.36x your buy-in, you need to pick between the previous two cohorts — total strikeouts and a total bases-type prop. With strikeouts, since I love Max Scherzer so much this evening, I am going to take him with the 0.5 advantage. For runs and RBI, I am going to take Juan Soto with the platoon advantage and his 0.5 advantage. Head over to Monkey Knife Fight to check out all of their offerings for Game 5.
For more general betting tips check out our MLB Picks Strategy Guide.
Image Credit: USA Today Sports Images