
Houston Astros at LA Dodgers odds, picks and predictions
Season series: Astros lead 2-0
The Astros blasted the Dodgers 18-1 in Friday's series opener, and Houston clinched the series victory with a 6-4 win as moderate underdogs (+145) Saturday as the Over (9) cashed.
Houston has picked up 5 victories in the past 6 meetings in this series, with the Over going 5-2 in the previous 7 meetings dating back to June 24, 2023.
In Saturday's victory, 3B Isaac Paredes went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot, 2B Jose Altuve added a 1-for-4 effort with a triple and a run scored, and C Yainer Diaz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, his 11th of the season. The Dodgers saw SS Mookie Betts go 2-for-5 with a double and a solo homer, while 3B Miguel Rojas ended up 2-for-2 with a 2-run homer, a walk and 3 RBIs.
Astros at Dodgers projected starters
RHP Ryan Gusto vs. RHP Emmet Sheehan
Gusto (5-3, 4.90 ERA) makes his 12th start and 19th appearance. The rookie has a 1.49 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 through 64 1/3 innings.
Sheehan (0-0, 2.25 ERA) makes his second start. He allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits and no walks with 6 K's in 4 innings in his debut, a 4-3 home victory over the San Diego Padres June 18.
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Astros at Dodgers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:59 a.m. ET.
Astros at Dodgers picks and predictions
Dodgers 5, Astros 4
Moneyline
The Dodgers (-190) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not nearly enough reward. Betting LA in a multi-leg parlay or with a boost/promo isn't a bad play, but backing such a heavy favorite straight up -- especially against a team that's already won the first 2 games of the series -- is definitely not recommended.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
ASTROS +1.5 (-135) is worth playing lightly if you want a little insurance and just can't bring yourself to pick Houston straight up. The starting pitching situation for the Astros is a little shaky in this finale, but Sheehan doesn't exactly give bettors a ton of confidence, either.
Over/Under
AVOID.
I expect the total to come down right on the number, so shy away from the total, and focus on the run line. However, if you absolutely, positively have to bet on the total, going lightly on the Over 9 (-120) is worth a look. The total has gone high in each of the first 2 in this series, with Houston outscoring LA 24-5.
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