Dodgers vs Astros Picks and Odds – July 29
- Dodgers righty Dustin May looks to build off a solid first start as he faces the Astros for the first time on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. ET
- The Astros will use rookie Cristian Javier, who debuted Saturday, as their opener
- Check out the article below for odds, matchup analysis, and a pick for this game
A battle of two MLB heavyweights wraps up Wednesday, as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros finish their two-game set at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers send 22-year-old Dustin May to the mound to face 23-year-old Cristian Javier.
Dodgers vs Astros July 29th Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Over/Under Run Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | -128 | -1.5 (+116) | Over 10 (-106) |
| Houston Astros | +112 | +1.5 (-136) | Under 10 (-114) |
Odds as of July 29th.
About Last Night
The Dodgers took Tuesday’s game, 5-2, thanks to a five-run explosion in the fifth inning. Houston scratched across two runs on Walker Buehler, but managed only four baserunners in the final 5.1 innings.
What a satisfying inning. pic.twitter.com/YsMtaK4xKQ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 29, 2020
For the Astros (3-2), it was their first game this season in which they didn’t score at least six runs. For the Dodgers (3-2), it bumped their run differential back up to a league-best plus-15.
Dodgers Career Stats vs Javier
| Player | AB | HR | RBI | AVG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mookie Betts | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Justin Turner | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Cody Bellinger | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Max Muncy | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Kike Hernandez | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Joc Pederson | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Austin Barnes | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| AJ Pollock | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Corey Seager | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Will Smith | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
Bad Blood From 2017?
These teams have matched up for one series since their 2017 battle in the World Series (won 4-3 by Houston). But there’s something different this time, now that the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal has come out in public light.
“I think both sides are going to have a chip on their shoulder,” Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood told MLB.com. “Especially after what happened in 2017. Those guys, as vocal as me and a lot of our guys have been with regards to that — it’s just a gut-wrenching situation.”
Game one got a little heated:
https://twitter.com/AsteriskTour/status/1288310632090079238?s=20
https://twitter.com/AsteriskTour/status/1288313888421838849?s=20
It’s unclear if this tension really provides an edge for either side. But rest assured, the Dodgers at least have a bit of extra motivation to topple the Astros.
Astros Career Stats vs May
| Player | AB | HR | RBI | AVG. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Altuve | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Alex Bregman | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Carlos Correa | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Yuli Gurriel | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Michael Brantley | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Josh Reddick | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| George Springer | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Martin Maldonado | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Myles Straw | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Abraham Toro | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
Coming up Clutch
The Dodgers’ opening-day starting spot might as well be chiseled in stone, as Clayton Kershaw has been the mainstay for so long. But this year, when Kershaw had to be scratched due to a back injury, Dustin May got the nod.
May scattered seven hits in 4.1 innings against the Giants, allowing just one run and taking a no-decision. All things considered, it was an excellent performance from a surprising source.
Dustin May with a cool 99mph sinker on the corner pic.twitter.com/tqSOMBhudG
— Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) July 24, 2020
May will certainly be more prepared for this outing, but he’ll also be facing a more potent lineup. It’ll be interesting to see how his wicked slider and triple-digit fastball play against the Astros.
No Verlander, Slight Problem?
Wednesday would’ve been Justin Verlander’s turn in the rotation for the Astros, which almost certainly would’ve given them the moneyline edge in this matchup.
But Verlander is out for at least a couple weeks with a forearm strain. Initial reports surfaced that Verlander would be out the rest of the season, but the man himself is rebutting that.
The report that I’m currently missing the rest of the season is not accurate. There is a forearm strain… I’m hopeful that with some rest it will heal and I’ll be able to return soon. Thank you for all the well wishes. 🙏🏻
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) July 26, 2020
Instead of JV, the Astros turn to rookie Cristian Javier to serve as an opener. He made his MLB debut on Saturday, tossing one scoreless inning with a strikeout against the Seattle Mariners.
His outing doesn’t figure to be long, which puts pressure on a bullpen that has pitched 15.2 innings the past three games and hasn’t had a day off yet. That could spell trouble.
Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-128)
Jordan Horrobin is a sports journalist whose MLB, NHL, NFL and NCAA work has appeared in outlets such as The Athletic, MLB.com, the Detroit Free Press and more. He is currently based in Toronto, also working as a contributor for Forbes.com and a freelance editor for Sportsnet.
