The Houston Astros (22-23) play the Los Angeles Dodgers (32-13) Saturday in the first of a two-game series at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is at 8:07 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Astros-Dodgers MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Astros at Dodgers: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Framber Valdez vs. LHP Julio Urias
Valdez: 3-3 with a 3.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 52 1/3 IP through 8 G (7 GS).
- Last start: Loss, 9-5, with 7 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 2 K and 2 BB at the Los Angeles Angels Sept. 6.
- Valdez earned a loss in 4 1/3 IP with 4 H, 3 ER, 2 K and 1 BB in his only start against the Dodgers earlier this season (July 28).
Urias: 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 37 1/3 IP over 8 starts.
- Last start: No-decision with 4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 6 K and 2 BB in a 7-6 Dodgers loss against the Colorado Rockies Sept. 6.
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Astros at Dodgers: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Astros
- 2B Jose Altuve (knee) out
- OF Yordan Alvarez (knee) out
- RP Roberto Osuna (elbow) out
Dodgers
- 3B Justin Turner (hamstring) out
- RP Joe Kelly (suspension) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Astros at Dodgers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:15 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Dodgers 5, Astros 3
Moneyline (ML)
The Astros (+130) have lost eight of nine on their current road swing, which ends with this two-game series with the Dodgers. LA won the first two games of their three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks but lost their last game, 5-2, Thursday.
The DODGERS (-143) won the earlier two meetings this season, one being a memorable affair after Kelly threw behind SS Carlos Correa and the dugouts cleared to have a heated, on-field discussion.
The incident led to the MLB suspending Kelly for five games that he’s still serving because the suspension was delayed due to Kelly going on the injury list.
Houston’s road struggles have been a thing all year (6-15 road record) while LA has the fifth-best home record in MLB (15-7) and the highest average margin of victory at home (2.5 runs per game).
There’s usually a lot of chalk to eat if you want to wager on the best team in baseball but we got a fair price to BET DODGERS (-143).
New to sports betting? A $143 bet on the Dodgers (-143) pays a $100 profit if LA beats Houston.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
PASS ON THE RUN LINE. The Astros’ (+1.5, -162) hitting numbers rise a touch, and the Dodgers’ (-1.5, +135) numbers sink a touch, versus lefties.
Houston has a winning run line record (7-5) as an away dog and its last game was decided by two runs but went into extra innings. I lean LA winning by two-plus runs but won’t bet it at that price.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Under is 17-6-3 in the last 26 Astros-Dodgers games, including two Unders earlier this season. The Astros have a 5-7 Over/Under record as an away dog and the Dodgers are 8-11-3 O/U as a home team. TAKE UNDER 9 (-110).
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