Astros vs Dodgers Odds, Picks, and Probable Pitchers
- The Los Angeles Dodgers are -180 home favorites over the Houston Astros in an MLB game slated for Tuesday, August 3
- LA and Houston split two meetings played earlier this season
- The Astros have won four of their last six games at Dodger Stadium
The Los Angeles Dodgers (64-43, 33-18 home) play host to the Houston Astros (64-42, 30-22 away) in a brief two-game series beginning Tuesday, August 3, at Dodger Stadium. Houston has won four of its last six visits to Dodger Stadium dating back to the Game 7 win by the Astros over the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series.
This will be Houston’s first visit to LA to play in front of fans since an MLB investigation revealed that the Astros were cheating in that World Series by stealing signs electronically. Perhaps it’s the hostile reception that will be awaiting the Houston players that is playing a role in the Dodgers being listed as the -180 favorites in Tuesday’s game.
Astros vs Dodgers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Astros | +155 | +1.5 (-140) | O 8.0 (-105) |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | -180 | -1.5 (+120) | U 8.0 (-115) |
Odds as of August 3rd at DraftKings.
Tuesday’s first pitch at Chavez Ravine is slated for 10:10 pm ET. The weather forecast is calling for clear skies, 9 mph wind, and a temperature of 93 degrees.
McCullers Jr vs Buehler
| 8-2 | Record | 11-1 |
| 3.23 | ERA | 2.19 |
| 3.21 | xERA | 2.97 |
| 1.21 | WHIP | 0.89 |
| 2.40 | SO/W Ratio | 4.48 |
Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr was 3-1 in July with a 3.86 ERA. Over his past two starts, though, he allowed eight earned runs through 11 innings pitched, four in each start. He’d allowed as many as four earned runs just once through his first 15 starts of the season. McCullers has struck out at least eight batters in each of his past five starts.
Lance McCullers, 86mph Slider (foul) and 94mph Two Seamer (Swinging K), Overlay. pic.twitter.com/Xk8easkc2q
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 28, 2021
In two career starts against the Dodgers covering 11 innings, McCullers hasn’t allowed a run and posted 13 strikeouts against two walks. But he also hasn’t figured in either decision.
LA right-hander Walker Buehler was NL pitcher of the month for July. He went 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA while striking ouf 38 in 32.1 innings. Buehler posted a 0.90 WHIP and 1.73 FIP. Opponents hit .177 off him.
Walker Buehler is always picking the brains of legends. True student of the game. Excited to see what Buehler picks up from his new BFF, Max Scherzer. #Dodgers
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) August 1, 2021
He’s worked at least seven innings in each of his last three starts. Over his last 27.1 innings Buehler has allowed just three earned runs. Through his last four starts Buehler’s ERA is 0.99. He’s pitched at least six innings in 20 of 21 starts this season.
Buehler has faced the Astros twice in his career. He’s 1-0 with 11 strikeouts in nine innings but shows an ERA of 4.00.
Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers
| Dodgers Batters | Batting Average vs McCullers Jr | Astros Batters | Batting Average vs Buehler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Barnes | .000 | Jose Altuve | .000 |
| Matt Beaty | .000 | Yordan Alvarez | .000 |
| Cody Bellinger | .000 | Michael Brantley | .500 |
| Mookie Betts | .400 | Jason Castro | .000 |
| Billy McKinney | .000 | Carlos Correa | 1.000 |
| Max Muncy | .000 | Aledmys Diaz | .000 |
| AJ Pollock | .000 | Robel Garcia | .000 |
| Albert Pujols | .000 | Yuel Gurriel | .000 |
| Corey Seager | .000 | Martin Maldonado | .000 |
| Will Smith | .000 | Chas McCormick | .000 |
| Chris Taylor | .500 | Jake Meyers | .000 |
| Justin Turner | .500 | Kyle Tucker | .000 |
The Astros lead the major leagues with a .267 batting average but they don’t often get hits when Buehler is on the mound. Shortstop Carlos Correa is a perfect 2-for-2 against Buehler with a home run and two RBI.
One year ago today:
The @Dodgers won 5-2 in their first visit to Houston since the 2017 World Series, and sanctions were handed to the Astros in January for electronic sign stealing.
Benches emptied after Joe Kelly’s strikeout of Carlos Correa. pic.twitter.com/4VRuO3qpRX
— Dodgers Archive (@DodgersArchive) July 29, 2021
Outfielder Michael Brantley is 1-for-2 (.500). No other Astros hitter has knocked a base hit off of Buehler.
For the Dodgers, second baseman Chris Taylor and third baseman Justin Turner are both 1-for-2 (.500) when facing McCullers Jr. Outfielder Mookie Betts is 2-for-5 (.400) with an RBI.
Astros vs Dodgers Pick
Overall, the Dodgers hold a 5-2 edge over the Astros in the past seven games between the two teams. LA has held Houston to two runs or fewer in all five of those victories.
LA is averaging the second-most runs per game in baseball (5.23) and allowing the second-fewest runs per game (3.69). The Dodgers also own an MLB-best run differential per game of 1.54.
Walker Buehler MLB ranks amongst qualified pitchers:
135.2 IP – 1st
2.19 ERA – 3rd
0.90 WHIP – 3rd
3.4 fWAR – 5th pic.twitter.com/TZ4OsAx5cx— Kershiser (@Kershiser77) July 29, 2021
Houston is 1-5 in its last six road games and 1-5 in its last six inter-league games. LA had Sunday off. The Dodgers are 41-15 in their last 56 games following an off day.
McCullers has pitched well for the Astros. However, Buehler has been spectacular for the Dodgers. He’s already got one hand gripping the NL Cy Young Award.
Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-180)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
