The Houston Astros travel to Nationals Park for a 6:45 PM ET first pitch on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, opening a road series against the Washington Nationals. Right-hander Tatsuya Imai gets the start for Houston against Washington's Andrew Alvarez. With the second half of the season underway, every game counts in the AL West race, and the Astros can't afford to give away wins against a Nationals club that plays hard at home.
Astros at Nationals: Tuesday, July 7 Game Preview
Imai draws the assignment as Houston looks to build momentum away from home. The Japanese right-hander has been an intriguing piece of the Astros rotation, and Tuesday's start gives him another opportunity to establish himself as a reliable arm in a staff that demands consistency. Without available ERA figures heading into this one, what matters is how he manages the strike zone and keeps a Nationals lineup off the bases — Washington hitters are capable of making you pay for mistakes.
On the other side, Andrew Alvarez takes the hill for Washington. Alvarez is a name Houston hitters will need to prepare for with film work and disciplined at-bats. Young pitchers pitching at home can find an extra gear, and the Astros offense can't assume a comfortable day against an unfamiliar arm.
Keys to Watch for the Houston Astros
- Imai's command: If Imai pounds the strike zone and forces early contact, Houston's defense can do the rest. Free passes turn into crooked numbers fast against a lineup playing on home turf.
- Patience against Alvarez: The Astros have historically built quality at-bats against pitchers they haven't seen often. Working pitch counts early could expose Alvarez if Washington leans on a short leash.
- Bullpen management: A mid-week road game puts a premium on length from Imai. If he can give Houston five or six innings, the bullpen enters in a position to protect a lead rather than dig the club out of a hole.
- Capitalizing in the middle innings: Road wins in this league come from seizing momentum swings. Scoring first or answering quickly after Washington tallies will be the difference between a clean win and a grind.
Broadcast Information
Houston fans can catch the action on Space City Home Network on television, with radio coverage on KBME 790 AM and 94.5 FM HD-2. Spanish-language radio is available on KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM. Nationals fans have Nationals.TV and WJFK 106.7 The Fan.
Prediction
This is a winnable game on the road, but it requires Imai to deliver a quality outing. Washington is no pushover at Nationals Park, and Alvarez gives the home side a legitimate chance to keep it close. Expect a competitive, low-scoring affair that comes down to which bullpen blinks first. Houston's edge in roster depth and lineup experience should be enough — Astros 4, Nationals 2.
