In this article, we will formulate a Dodgers vs Astros prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, July 5, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Houston Astros (53-35, 21-21 Away) are without a loss in the previous 12 series, winning 11 with one split. The Astros beat the likes of the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and, most recently, the Colorado Rockies on the road. Houston opened this series against the Dodgers with a massive 18-1 win on Friday. Jose Altuve led the bunch with two homers and five RBI, Victor Caratini blasted a grand slam, while Christian Walker also had four RBI. Lance McCullers Jr. got the win after allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks across 6.0 innings of work.
This year, the Astros average 4.38 runs per game (15th in the MLB) on a .261/.326/.409 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Astros’ staff has a 3.50 ERA (5th) and 1.16 WHIP (2nd). Isaac Paredes leads the Astros with a .255 batting average, 18 home runs, and 48 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Astros is Framber Valdez, who is 9-4 in 17 starts this season, with a 2.72 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 109.0 innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers (56-33, 33-15 Home) have won seven series in a row. Following a sweep of the Colorado Rockies and a win over the Kansas City Royals on the road, the Dodgers swept the Chicago White Sox at home. Last night, in Game 1 against the Astros, the Dodgers suffered their heaviest defeat of the season, 18-1. Will Smith drove in a lone run for the Dodgers; it was a solo homer, while Ben Casparius took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and no walks in 3.0 innings.
This season, the Dodgers average 5.56 runs per game (1st in the MLB) on a .261/.337/.457 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Dodgers’ staff has a 4.31 ERA (23rd) and 1.32 WHIP (20th). Andy Pages leads the Dodgers with a .290 batting average, 17 home runs, and 58 RBI this season.
Shohei Ohtani will take the mound for the Dodgers on Saturday. The 31-year-old right-hander has a 0-0 record in three starts this year with a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 4.0 innings.
Why the Astros will beat the Dodgers
- The Dodgers have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have won four of their last five games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
- The Dodgers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games as home favorites against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have covered the run line each of their last four games at Dodger Stadium against teams that held a winning record.
- The Astros have led after 3 innings in five of their last six games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Astros have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games against opponents that held a winning record.
Total Runs Facts
- Six of the Dodgers’ last seven games against AL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Astros’ last six games as underdogs against NL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Dodgers’ last 10 games as home favorites against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last five games at Dodger Stadium.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Dodgers rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (139).
- The Dodgers rank 1st in the league for RBIs this season (477).
- The Astros rank 2nd in the league for batting average this season (.261).
- The Astros rank 2nd in the league for opponent batting average this season (.223).
Dodgers vs Astros Prediction
The Astros won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including four of the last five. Although I expect the Dodgers to display a much better performance following last night’s disastrous loss, I am still backing the Astros to win again. Shohei Ohtani will hardly last for more than 2.0 innings on the mound, so it will basically be a bullpen day for the Dodgers, and their bullpen and pitching in general this year are below par. Framber Valdez, on the other hand, was fantastic in June, posting a 1.74 ERA, while he hasn’t allowed more than two runs in his previous seven starts. Valdez recorded two shutouts in his last two starts. Go with the Astros.