by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Jun 22, 2023
Game Time: 10:10 pm ET, Friday, June 23, 2023
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: MLB Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Astros +125, Dodgers -145; Over/Under: 9 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Astros +130, Dodgers -150; Over/Under: 9 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Astros +125, Dodgers -145; Over/Under: 9 runs
Season Record
Houston Astros: 41-34 (2nd place, AL West)
Los Angeles Dodgers: 41-33 (3rd place, NL West)
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Recent Form
Houston Astros: 4-6 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers: 5-5 last 10
Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Analysis
The Astros are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak and won their 3-game series against the New York Mets 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 41-34 record overall and have a road record of 19-15. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 18th in the MLB with a .715 OPS. Cristian Javier was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while rookie pitcher J.P. France is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 2-2 with a 3.42 ERA this season. His team lost 4 of their last 5 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 ER, 1 HR, and 1 BB with 3 Ks on 4 hits through 6.2 IP against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Dodgers are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak and completed the sweep 2-0 in their 2-game series against the Los Angeles Angels in their last series. They enter this game with a 41-33 record overall and have a home record of 22-14. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Astros on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 6th in the MLB with a .769 OPS. Brusdar Graterol was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while rookie pitcher Emmet Sheehan is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA this season. His team lost their only game this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 earned runs, 0 homers, and 2 BB with 3 strikeouts on 0 hits through 6 innings played against the San Francisco Giants.
Astros vs Dodgers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers haven't been playing well in their games lately and they have been terrible in their road games but they just beat the Angels twice in a row and are back at home for this series with a chance to gain some momentum. The Astros have been having a good season but they are still trailing in their division and their offense has been a big problem as the defending World Series Champions have one of the worst offenses in the MLB at the moment. The Dodgers have one of the best offenses in the league though and they will be looking to take advantage of the Astros here with the way they have been slumping a bit lately. The Astros are going with France on the mound here and he hasn't been giving up many runs in his starts but the team hasn't been finding a lot of success with him starting and he is still only a rookie going against one of the best offenses in the league here. The Dodgers are also going with a rookie here and Sheehan has a lot fewer starts under his belt in the MLB but he pitched lights out in his last one against the red hot Giants with one of the better offenses in the league and he will have another good outing at home here with a much weaker Astros lineup up to bat. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Astros Dodgers Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, June 23, 2023 (10:10 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 7 Astros 3.
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MLB Betting Trends
Houston Astros: 18-6 (+10.2 units) on the moneyline after 7 or more consecutive home games. 23-12 (+8.4 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8.5 to 10. 10-3 UNDER when the total is 9 to 9.5. 10-4 UNDER as a road underdog of +125 to +175.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 18-22 (-13.8 units) on the moneyline after a win. 11-13 (-5.7 units) on the moneyline when the total is 9 to 9.5. 24-11 UNDER after shutting out their opponent. 10-3 UNDER after a game with a combined score of 2 runs or less.
Key Injuries
Houston Astros: M. Brantley (DH) Early July - Shoulder. J. Urquidy (SP) Mid July - Shoulder. L. McCullers Jr. (SP) out for season - Elbow. Y. Alvarez (LF) Mid July - Oblique. L. Garcia (SP) out for season - Elbow.
Los Angeles Dodgers: S. Miller (RP) Late July - Neck. D. Hudson (RP) Early July - Knee. J. Urias (SP) Early July - Hamstring. M. Muncy (3B) Out indefinitely - Hamstring. A. Reyes (SP) out for season - Shoulder. T. Thompson (LF) Out indefinitely - Oblique. N. Syndergaard (SP) Out indefinitely - Finger. P. Bickford (RP) Out indefinitely - Back. D. May (SP) Late July - Elbow. T. Cyr (RP) Late July - Shoulder. J. Feyereisen (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. R. Pepiot (SP) Mid July - Oblique. J. Nelson (RP) Mid July - Elbow. W. Buehler (SP) Early Sept - Elbow. G. Lux (2B) out for season - Knee. B. Treinen (RP) Early Sept - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“I don’t know, he was high, high and more high. And we were hoping that he would get it so I wouldn't have to go with my bullpen so early. But he never got it.” - Dusty Baker after his team’s win against the Mets in their game on Wednesday.
“I was sort of a fan tonight watching (Ohtani). Really kept us at bay — you could argue dominated us. ... Just to be a starting pitcher, to hold down a lineup like this, and then to go out there and hit at the top of the order, it’s remarkable.” - Dave Roberts after his team’s win against the LA Angels in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Houston Astros
Jose Altuve (R) 2B
Mauricio Dubon (R) 1B
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Yainer Diaz (R) DH
Corey Julks (R) LF
Jeremy Pena (R) SS
Chas McCormick (R) CF
Martin Maldonado (R) C
Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Will Smith (R) C
David Peralta (L) LF
J.D. Martinez (R) DH
Jason Heyward (L) RF
Miguel Vargas (R) 2B
James Outman (L) CF
Michael Busch (L) 3B
Statistical Leaders
Houston Astros
Batting Average: Mauricio Dubon (.292)
Hits: Kyle Tucker (72)
Home Runs: Yordan Alvarez (17)
RBI: Yordan Alvarez (55)
Stolen Bases: Kyle Tucker (14)
Wins: Cristian Javier (7)
Saves: Ryan Pressly (14)
ERA: Hector Neris (1.20)
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Freddie Freeman (.323)
Hits: Freddie Freeman (95)
Home Runs: Max Muncy (18)
RBI: J.D. Martinez (48)
Stolen Bases: Freddie Freeman (10)
Wins: Clayton Kershaw (9)
Saves: Evan Phillips (9)
ERA: Tyler Cyr (0.00)
Managers:
Houston Astros: Dusty Baker (4th season)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (8th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
