The Los Angeles Dodgers (2-2) and Houston Astros (3-1) will play the opener of a short two-game set Tuesday at 9:10 p.m. ET (on FS1) at Minute Maid Park. We analyze the Dodgers-Astros MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Dodgers at Astros: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Walker Buehler vs. LHP Framber Valdez
Buehler had a breakout campaign in 2019, posting a 14-4 record with a 3.26 ERA across 182 1/3 innings over 30 starts. He also registered 215 strikeouts.
- Buehler loves the night life, baby. He posted an 11-1 record with a 2.96 ERA across 22 evening starts with a .212 opponent batting average last season. During the day, he was 3-3 with a 4.22 ERA and .259 batting average in eight starts.
- Buehler has faced the Astros just once in his career, allowing two earned runs, four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in a 3-2 win at Dodger Stadium Aug. 5, 2018.
Valdez posted a shaky 4-7 record last season with a 5.86 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 70 2/3 innings across 26 appearances, including eight starts.
- Valdez was a train wreck on the road in 2019, going 1-6 with a 7.76 ERA over 29 innings. However, his home splits were decent. He was 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA, .231 opponent batting average and 42 strikeouts across 41 2/3 innings in five starts and nine relief appearances at MMP.
- This will be Valdez’s first career appearance against the Dodgers.
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Dodgers at Astros: Key injuries
(List of injuries around the league)
Dodgers
- SP Clayton Kershaw (back) is the only major Dodgers player on the injury list at the moment. He was scratched from his Opening Day start due to a stiff back but should be able to return shortly.
Astros
- OF Yordan Alvarez (knee) is out indefinitely as he is battling soreness in both of his knees.
- SS Aledmys Diaz (groin) also has no timetable for a return. He is on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right groin.
- SP Justin Verlander (forearm) landed on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a strained right forearm, but he refuted reports he is done for the season.
Dodgers at Astros: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Tuesday at 2:40 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Dodgers 7, Astros 4
Moneyline (ML)
The DODGERS (-139) are the play here. Not only is Tuesday Buehler’s 26th birthday, this contest will come down to the starting pitching matchup. Buehler was an elite-level pitcher last season while Valdez bounced back and forth between the bullpen and rotation with very shaky results. Buehler also posted impressive splits in evening games, and he’ll be jacked up to kick off this 2017 World Series rematch.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Roll the dice with a small-unit wager on the DODGERS (-1.5, +110). They have the potential to tune up Valdez, who isn’t likely to last very long against their stacked All-Star-laden lineup. Buehler will hold down the Astros, and Valdez will give the L.A. offense plenty of cookies.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 9 (-110) is the way to go, only because of Valdez. He just wasn’t dialed in during the 2019 season, and it’s hard to project success on his part against a murder’s row lineup like the Dodgers possess. They’re going to pile up the hits in this 2017 “Fall Classic” rematch and come away with a high-scoring road win to kick off the set.
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