Washington at Houston

The Washington Nationals didn't let a week's layoff deter them as they continued to be the hottest team in the majors with a 5-4 victory in Game 1 of the World Series. Juan Soto belted a homer and a two-run double and finished with three hits and a stolen base. Max Scherzer was shaky, but got through five innings of allowing only two runs, and the Astros were haunted by many missed opportunities. The Nationals now have extra confidence coming into tonight's game as they have Stephen Strasburg on the mound and he has allowed only four earned runs in 22 innings in the postseason for a minuscule 1.64 ERA. Strasburg was 8-2 with a 2.91 ERA the second half of the season. Washington is 90-35 in Strasburg's last 125 starts and 44-15 his last 59 road starts. Justin Verlander goes for Houston and the Nats are 58-28 their last 86 games versus right-handed starters. Play the Nationals.