MLB Picks and Game Predictions: L.A. Dodgers vs. Houston Astros

This is a rematch of the 2017 World Series clash, and this headlines the MLB betting when the Los Angeles Dodgers face off against the Houston Astros since Houston’s antics were uncovered this offseason. The Houston Astros took the help of cameras to spy and relay signs during the 2017 and 2018 seasons which also included their World Series win over Los Angeles. We can say that the two teams don’t like each other at all. The two teams go head to head on 28th July.

BETTING PREVIEW

Who are the starting pitchers?

Walker Buehler vs Framber Valdez

Buehler had a great campaign in 2019 where he posted a record 14-4 with 3.26 ERA across 182 innings. He also registered 215 strikeouts.

He posted an 11-1 record with 2.96 ERA across 22 evening starts last season and 3-3 with 4.22 ERA on the day he began.

He faced the Houston Astros only once in his career at the Dodger Stadium in 2018. He allowed two earned runs, four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in a 3-2 win.

Valdez did not have a high season last time. He posted a shaky 4-7 record with 5.86 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 70 innings across 26 appearances which included eight starts.

He was awful on the road in 2019. He recorded 1-6 with 7.76 ERA over 29 innings. His home form was somewhat decent. He recorded 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA, .231 opponent batting average along with 42 strikeouts across 41 innings in five starts at MMP. He will be facing the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time in his career.

Weather Conditions-

Temperatures around the 80-degree mark with a humidity of around 75% and 9mph winds. 

Injury list-

Los Angeles Dodgers frail.

Clayton Kershaw(SP): He has a back problem and is the only Dodgers player on the injury list. He will be able to play soon.

Houston Astros

Yordan Alvarez(OF): He has soreness in both of his knees, and there is no exact date set for his return.

Aledmys Diaz(SS): He is injured for 10 days due to a strained groin.

Justin Verlander(SP): He was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right forearm. He denied reports of him missing the full season.

TOTAL PICK OF FIRST FIVE INNINGS

There’s no shortage of big bats in both lineups. Houston crushed the ball against the Seattle Mariners, plating 29 runs. Most of the fields were scored in the first 5 innings. The Astros scored 25 out of the 29 runs in the first 5 innings. In total, 35 runs were scored in the first 5 innings of that series.

The Los Angeles Dodgers scored eight and nine runs respectively in the first two games with the San Francisco Giants, but in the final two games, their bats went cold as they amassed only 5 runs in total in the first 5 games. 

Prediction: Over 4.5(-117)

OVER/UNDER PICK

Buehler will be celebrating his 26th birthday and is on a likely pitch count according to his team’s manager Dave Roberts.

He told me that they would ease Buehler back into form after some limited training during the COVID-19 break. Buehler may not be guaranteed to start, but Houston’s lineup is deep, and the pitch count can climb quickly in the opening innings.

Prediction: Over 9(-113)

WHO WOULD YOU BET?

With the uncertainty of the starters, we now look beyond the pitchers for edges, and while Houston has produced early fireworks, their bats have cooled off over their first over games. The Astros average 0.5 runs through the final three innings which cost them the sweep of Seattle in Game 3 of that set. On the flip side, the Los Angeles Dodgers do the most damage in those final three innings. They have averaged 3.5 runs per game in that span.

The viewers can bet on the match at any online casino sportsbook, which includes MLB money lines and MLB prop odds. Many have already started to bet on their favorite teams. Viewers are also using the MLB parlay calculator to make their personal parlays and payouts. 

Tuesday's Game will be intense, and there should be plenty of drama in those final innings. The L.A.'s bats need to come through in the crunch to exact some revenge in the game of this interleague series.

Prediction: Los Angeles -140

WIN PREDICTION OF THE MATCH

LOS ANGELES DODGERS: 64%

HOUSTON ASTROS: 36%