by Rod Pearson
Friday, Jun 23, 2023
Game Time: 7:15 pm ET, Saturday, June 24, 2023
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Astros +160, Dodgers -190; Over/Under: 9 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Astros +160, Dodgers -190; Over/Under: 9 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Astros +160, Dodgers -190; 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 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Saturday with the series opener of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 19th in the MLB with a .715 OPS. Rookie pitcher J.P. France is their starting pitcher on Friday while Ronel Blanco is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA this season. His team lost their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 5 ER, 2 HR, and 2 BB with 5 Ks on 7 hits through 5.2 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 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Astros on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .769 OPS. Rookie pitcher Emmet Sheehan is their starting pitcher on Friday while rookie pitcher Bobby Miller is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 3-1 with a 2.83 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 7 earned runs, 1 homer, and 3 BB with 5 strikeouts on 7 hits through 5.2 innings played against the San Francisco Giants.
Astros vs Dodgers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a big favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have been having a good season but they still find themselves in 3rd place in their division as they trail the Diamondbacks and the Giants. They have been a really good home team all season though and just won 2 games in a row against the Angels so they are going to have some momentum coming into this series. The Astros just won their series against the Mets but that series was at home and they were also swept by the Reds recently as they haven't been a good road team all year. Both teams are also going with inexperienced starters in this game who are both coming off bad starts in their last one but the Dodgers are the home team here and have had a much stronger offense than the Astros all season so the edge goes to them here. The Astros also gave up a ton of runs in their last game against the Mets so even their bullpen hasn't been great lately and with the Dodgers offense still being so good all season, they will make this inexperienced starter for the Astros pay as the Dodgers offense lifts them to a home win here and keep rolling on their winning streak. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Astros Dodgers Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, June 24, 2023 (7:15 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 9 Astros 4.
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MLB Betting Trends
Houston Astros: 11-8 (+4.6 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 or higher. 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.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 14-15 (-13.3 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -150 or more. 11-13 (-5.7 units) on the moneyline when the total is 9 to 9.5. 8-3 UNDER as a favorite of -175 to -250. 21-14 UNDER at home when the total is 9 to 9.5.
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.
