Game Time: 9:10 pm ET, Friday, July 4, 2025
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: MLB.tv, SCHN, Sportsnet LA
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Astros +148, Dodgers -181; Over/Under: 9 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Astros +150, Dodgers -180; Over/Under: 9 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Astros +150, Dodgers -185; Over/Under: 9 runs
Season Record
Houston Astros: 52-34 (1st place, AL West)
Los Angeles Dodgers: 55-32 (1st place, NL West)
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Recent Form
Houston Astros: 8-2 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers: 8-2 last 10
Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Analysis
The Astros won their 3-game series against the Chicago Cubs 2-1. They enter this game with a 52-34 record overall and have a road record of 20-20. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Friday with the series finale of their series against the Colorado Rockies still to be played on Thursday. The Astros won the series opener of that series on Tuesday and the 2nd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 13th in the MLB with a .722 OPS. Brandon Walter is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Lance McCullers Jr. is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 1-3 with a 6.61 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 8 ER, 3 HR, and 4 BB with 1 SO on 7 hits through 3.1 IP against the Chicago Cubs.
The Dodgers won their 3-game series against the Kansas City Royals 2-1. They enter this game with a 55-32 record overall and have a home record of 32-14. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Astros on Friday with the 3rd game of their series against the Chicago White Sox still to be played on Thursday. The Dodgers won the 1st game of that series on Tuesday and the 2nd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .797 OPS. Dustin May is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Ben Casparius is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 6-2 with a 3.97 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 6 earned runs, 1 homer, and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts on 8 hits through 4 innings pitched against the Kansas City Royals.
Astros vs Dodgers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have looked great in their games this season with their 55-32 record overall which has them right at the top of the NL West with the best record in the entire MLB. They have also been one of the best home teams in the MLB this year with their 32-14 home record. Meanwhile, the Astros have looked great in their games this season with their 52-34 record overall which has them right at the top of the AL West with one of the best records in the entire MLB. They haven't been a great road team though with their 20-20 road record this season. Both teams have been really hot lately as both teams are 8-2 in their last 10 games, but the Dodgers do have the better pitching matchup here and can take advantage of that at home. The Astros are going with McCullers Jr in this one and he hasn't looked great this season as he is still coming back from an injury. He is 1-3 with a 6.61 ERA and has been giving up quite a few runs this season, and that won't be good against the best offense in the MLB right now. His team has been struggling with him on the mound lately, losing 2 games in a row now with him starting, and he is coming off a terrible start in his last one in which he gave up 8 earned runs. That was against one of the best offenses in the Cubs too so this game on the road isn't going to be any better for him. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Astros Dodgers Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, July 4, 2025 (9:10 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 7 Astros 3.
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MLB Betting Trends
Houston Astros: 24-16 (+4.4 units) on the moneyline against NL West opponents. 118-87 (+23.4 units) on the moneyline in road games. 125-98 (+13.1 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 73-46 OVER vs. good power teams - averaging 1.25 or more HR's/game.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 35-32 (-11.6 units) on the moneyline vs. a team with a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.45 or better. 36-22 (-3.6 units) on the moneyline vs. AL teams scoring 4.4 or less runs/game on the season. 238-173 OVER in all games. 67-41 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%).
Key Injuries
Houston Astros: L. Guillorme (3B) Ten Day IL - Hamstring. Y. Alvarez (LF) Sixty Day IL - Hand. J. Pena (SS) Ten Day IL - Rib. S. Dubin (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Forearm. P. Leon (RF) Sixty Day IL - Knee. B. Rodgers (2B) Ten Day IL - Oblique. J. Melton (LF) Ten Day IL - Ankle. S. Arrighetti (SP) Sixty Day IL - Thumb. Z. Dezenzo (RF) Ten Day IL - Hand. R. Blanco (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. C. McCormick (LF) Ten Day IL - Oblique. H. Wesneski (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. L. Garcia (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. C. Javier (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. France (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Los Angeles Dodgers: M. Muncy (3B) Day To Day - Knee. M. Kopech (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Knee. R. Sasaki (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. T. Gonsolin (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. T. Glasnow (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. E. Phillips (RP) Sixty Day IL - forearm. B. Snell (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. B. Treinen (RP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. K. Hurt (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. M. Grove (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. B. Graterol (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. R. Ryan (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. G. Stone (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“He always finds a way to wow us. I’m always writing about things that I see so I can go back and remember one day when I’m really old because he’s amazing. I like to write stuff down, but I always write down, not only what I’ve seen him do while I’ve been with the Astros, but also what he did against me when I was wearing another uniform, because he’s an incredible baseball player. That’s how I feel about that. He’s always got big moments. I’m watching one of the best to ever play the game.” - Joe Espada after his team’s win against the Rockies in their game on Wednesday.
"I think that to get 3,000 strikeouts, that takes a long time and a lot of trials, tribulations, surgeries, rehab, frustration, tears. To continue to fight back, come back, show up and post, that's hard to do. There was a lot of emotion for Clayton. I hope he enjoys this one, and now I think he can even say that every box for him has been checked." - Dave Roberts on Clayton Kershaw after his team’s win against the White Sox in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Houston Astros
Isaac Paredes (R) 3B
Jake Meyers (R) CF
Jose Altuve (R) DH
Cam Smith (R) RF
Christian Walker (R) 1B
Victor Caratini (S) C
Cooper Hummel (S) LF
Shay Whitcomb (R) 2B
Mauricio Dubón (R) SS
Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Will Smith (R) C
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Andy Pages (R) RF
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Michael Conforto (L) LF
Tommy Edman (S) CF
Hyeseong Kim (L) 2B
Statistical Leaders
Houston Astros
Batting Average: Jeremy Peña (.322)
Hits: Jeremy Peña (102)
Home Runs: Isaac Paredes (17)
RBI: Isaac Paredes (46)
Stolen Bases: Jeremy Peña (15)
Wins: Hunter Brown (9)
Saves: Josh Hader (24)
ERA: Jordan Weems (0.00)
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Hyeseong Kim (.368)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (96)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (30)
RBI: Andy Pages (58)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (12)
Wins: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8)
Saves: Tanner Scott (18)
ERA: Evan Phillips (0.00)
Managers:
Houston Astros: Joe Espada (2nd season)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (10th season)