After steamrolling the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS, the Washington Nationals had a long layoff coming into the 2019 World Series, where they would face the winner of the high-octane ALCS between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros.
In both scenarios, the Nats were going to be heavy underdogs, and when the Astros knocked off the Yanks in six games, sportsbooks opened with Washington at +165 compared against Houston at -190.
After all, Houston had been favored to win the World Series all season long, and the 107-win team, on paper, looked nigh unbeatable.
But less than a week later, for the historically dominant Astros, the end is nigh.
Baseball, at the end of the day, is all about hot streaks, and no team was hotter coming into the MLB playoffs than Washington.
Now, after mugging the Astros and taking the first two games of the World Series on the road against Houston’s most dominant aces (Washington was again the dog in Game 2 at +153), it’s Goliath that’s finally the underdog per the baseball betting odds, at least when it comes to winning it all.
Still, even after two losses, the Astros are actually favored to win Game 3. Sportsbooks – and bettors – are unconvinced that the team will go quietly into that good night(mare), so they’re giving Houston the edge for Friday night’s game in Washington (8:07 pm, FOX).
2019 World Series Game 3 Odds
Via Bovada
- Houston Astros
- Runline: -1.5 (+120)
- Straight: -137
- Over: 8.0 (-110)
- Washington Nationals
- Runline: +1.5
- Straight: +117
- Under: 8.0 (-110)
2019 World Series Championship Odds
Via Bovada
- Washington Nationals -275
- Houston Astros +220
With right-hander Zack Greinke (0-2. 6.43 ERA) taking the mound for Houston, it’s not a sure shot that the Astros can steal a game back on the road. Washington’s righty, Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 0.71 ERA), is a much stronger pitcher in the three spot, and Houston will have to work some magic if they hope to save their sinking ship.
Still, it’s not inconceivable for a team down 0-2 in the World Series to come back and win it all. While rare – the last time it happened was when the 1996 Yankees dropped their first two games and went on to beat the Atlanta Braves – it’s a definite possibility that the Astros can salvage the Series and come out on top.
It’s a hard mountain to climb, of course. Seventeen of the last 18 teams to win the first two games of the World Series have gone on to be crowned MLB Champions.
If you think the Astros have a real shot to win it all despite the current hole they’re in, you should pounce on the current series prices offered at any top USA sportsbook site. Sure, they’ll only get better if Houston goes down 0-3, but at that point, you shouldn’t touch them with a ten-foot foul pole.
As for the Nationals, a World Series win would be the franchise’s first. In fact, before the 2019 playoffs, they’d never even won a playoff series.
And if they pull of this historic upset, just imagine how that Bryce Harper trade will look!