by Rod Pearson
Saturday, Jul 27, 2024
Game Time: 2:10 pm ET, Sunday, July 28, 2024
Venue: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
Where to Watch: SCHN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Dodgers +102, Astros -122; Over/Under: 9 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Dodgers +100, Astros -120; Over/Under: 9 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Dodgers +100, Astros -120; Over/Under: 9 runs
Season Record
Los Angeles Dodgers: 62-43 (1st place, NL West)
Houston Astros: 54-49 (1st place, AL West)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! AAA Sports is on a HOT STREAK in the MLB on an 18-8 MLB RUN for +$6,770 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Los Angeles Dodgers: 6-4 last 10
Houston Astros: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros Preview and Analysis
The Dodgers are entering this series off a win and won their 4-game series against the San Francisco Giants 3-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 62-43 record overall and have a road record of 28-23. This is the series finale of a 3-game series with the Astros on Sunday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Saturday. The Dodgers lost the series opener of this series on Friday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .770 OPS. Rookie pitcher Justin Wrobleski is their starting pitcher on Saturday while rookie pitcher River Ryan is making his start in this game on Sunday. He is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA this season. His team won the only game this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 3 BB with 2 Ks on 4 hits through 5.1 IP against the San Francisco Giants.
The Astros are entering this series off a win and lost their 3-game series against the Oakland Athletics 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 54-49 record overall and have a home record of 29-21. This is the 3rd game of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Sunday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Saturday. The Astros won the 1st game of this series on Friday. Their offense ranks 8th in the MLB with a .741 OPS. Ronel Blanco is their starting pitcher on Saturday while rookie pitcher Spencer Arrighetti is making his start in this game on Sunday. He is 4-8 with a 5.65 ERA this season. His team lost their last 4 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 0 homers, and 1 BB with 3 strikeouts on 7 hits through 6 innings played against the Oakland Athletics.
Dodgers vs Astros Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have looked really good in their games this season with their 62-43 record overall which leads the NL West with one of the best records in the entire MLB. They have looked good in their road games too with their 28-23 road record. Meanwhile, the Astros have looked good in their games this season with their 54-49 record overall which now has them leading the AL West as they have overtaken the Mariners. They have also looked better in their home games with their 29-21 home record. The Astros won the 1st game of this series but they still haven't looked good lately with their 4-6 record in their last 10 games, struggling out of the All-Star break. The Dodgers are only 5-5 in their last 10 games but have been the slightly hotter team lately, and they also came out of the All-Star break playing really well. They are going to have another rookie on the mound here with Ryan starting, but he is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA after his MLB debut. He gave up no runs in a little over 5 innings pitched and will be looking to replicate that here in his 2nd ever start. The Dodgers also have the best offense in the MLB to help him out if he gets into trouble, and they are going to put up runs with Arrighetti on the other side. Arrighetti is 4-8 with a 5.65 ERA for the Astros this season and has been giving up a lot of runs all year. He gave up 4 earned runs in his last start and has been falling apart now after a good stretch, the team losing 4 of the last 5 games he started in. The Dodgers will be looking to bounce back after losing the 1st game of this series and they have the better offense right now while also being the much hotter team since the All-Star break. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Dodgers Astros Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Sunday, July 28, 2024 (2:10 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 4 Astros 2.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks, best bets, and expert baseball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Los Angeles Dodgers Houston Astros prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily MLB projections and previews.
MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles Dodgers: 31-37 (-15.85 units) on the first 5 runline in their last 68 games. 15-11 to the over in their last 26 games. 15-10 to the over with their first 5 team total in their last 25 away games.
Houston Astros: 22-9 (+12.70 units) on the moneyline in their last 31 games. 31-15 (+17.70 units) on the runline in their last 46 games. 41-27 to the over with their team total in their last 68 games.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Dodgers: F. Freeman (1B) Out Sun - Personal. C. Taylor (LF) Early Aug - Groin. M. Rojas (SS) Out indefinitely - Forearm. D. May (SP) out of season - Elbow. Y. Yamamoto (SP) Out indefinitely - Tricep. M. Muncy (3B) Out indefinitely - Oblique. W. Buehler (SP) Out indefinitely - Hip. M. Betts (SS) Out indefinitely - Hand. M. Grove (SP) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. R. Brasier (RP) Out indefinitely - Calf. E. Sheehan (SP) out for season - Elbow. B. Graterol (RP) Early August - Shoulder. T. Gonsolin (SP) out for season - Elbow. C. Brogdon (RP) Out indefinitely - Foot.
Houston Astros: K. Graveman (RP) out for season - Shoulder. J. Verlander (SP) Early July - Neck. C. Javier (SP) out of season - Forearm. J. Urquidy (SP) out for season - Forearm. B. Sousa (RP) out for season - Shoulder. O. Ortega (RP) Late July - Elbow. P. Murfee (SP) Mid July - Elbow. L. McCullers Jr. (SP) Early July - Forearm. L. Garcia (SP) Mid July - Elbow. K. Tucker (RF) Out indefinitely - Shin.
Notable Quotes
“Framber was good tonight, so you knew it was going to be a tall order to try to put together innings and build innings. We stressed him that one inning, but he made pitches when he needed to.” - Dave Roberts after his team’s loss against the Astros in their game on Friday.
“We like some homers if you ask me. I like to have some slug, but that’s what we are right now. We just got to find ways to score runs.” - Joe Espada after his team’s win against the LA Dodgers in their game on Friday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Dodgers
S Ohtani (L) DH
W Smith (R) C
T Hernández (R) RF
A Pages (R) CF
M Vargas (R) LF
K Hernández (R) 3B
C Biggio (L) 1B
N Ahmed (R) SS
G Lux (L) 2B
Houston Astros
J Altuve (R) 2B
A Bregman (R) 3B
Y Alvarez (L) DH
Y Diaz (R) C
J Peña (R) SS
J Singleton (L) 1B
J Meyers (R) CF
J Loperfido (L) LF
C McCormick (R) RF
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Shohei Ohtani (.315)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (126)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (31)
RBI: Shohei Ohtani (74)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (25)
Wins: Gavin Stone (9)
Saves: Evan Phillips (15)
ERA: Eduardo Salazar (0.00)
Houston Astros
Batting Average: César Salazar (.318)
Hits: Jose Altuve (127)
Home Runs: Yordan Alvarez (20)
RBI: Yordan Alvarez (54)
Stolen Bases: Jose Altuve (15)
Wins: Ronel Blanco (9)
Saves: Josh Hader (20)
ERA: Dylan Coleman (0.00)
Managers:
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (9th season)
Houston Astros: Joe Espada (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
