What happened: Yordan Alvarez and the Houston Astros travel to the nation's capital to face James Wood and the Washington Nationals. The matchup is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. ET broadcast on MLB Network.
Why it matters: Both clubs are fighting to improve their records ahead of the All-Star break. The series opener features recently voted American League starting designated hitter Yordan Alvarez anchoring the visitors' lineup against an emerging home roster.
By the numbers: Washington enters the contest at 46-44 overall, averaging 5.3 runs per game. Houston sits at 44-47, propelled by Alvarez, who earned AL Player of the Week honors following a 10-for-23 stretch with four home runs and 11 RBIs.
What to watch: The Astros look to extend their current winning streak, while the Nationals aim to bounce back from a recent defeat.