Astros vs. Dodgers Friday Prediction
A rematch of the 2017 World Series will take place this weekend at Dodger Stadium when L.A. hosts the Houston Astros at 10:10 p.m. ET. Will Game 1 between the two teams wind up being low-scoring for bettors?
Game Snapshot & Odds
929 Houston Astros (-105) at 930 Los Angeles Dodgers (-105); 7 runs
Friday, August 3, 2018
8:10 p.m. ET, Target Field
TV: HOU (ATTH); LAD (SNLA)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Dodgers as a -105 favorite. As of this writing, 69% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Astros to beat the Dodgers on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Astros’ Verlander lasts only five innings vs. Rangers
Justin Verlander surrendered two runs on nine hits over five innings in Saturday’s 7-3 loss to the Rangers. Just not the sharpest of outings for Verlander, who tied his season high in hits allowed on Saturday. Included among those nine knocks, a pair of solo home runs, only one of which actually left the park. Isiah Kiner-Falefa burned him in the second inning in traditional fashion, while Rougned Odor got it done in inside-the-park style in the fifth. Verlander struck out seven and walked one in the outing and finished up having thrown 99 pitches (69 strikes). If there’s one saving grace, here, it’s that he was able to limit the damage to his ERA. The ace right-hander will look to sharpen up by degrees when he heads out on the dusty trail for what should be a fun road showdown with the Dodgers next time out. Verlander will carry a 2.24 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 190/27 K/BB ratio (148 2/3 innings) into that affair.
Dodgers’ Wood shuts down Braves into sixth inning
Alex Wood fired off 5 2/3 innings of one-hit shutout ball in Saturday’s win over the Braves. Wood might have been allowed to pitch deeper into the contest had he not been consistently off in his control. He issued four walks on the evening, throwing just 47 of his 87 pitches for strikes. Prior to Saturday’s just-not-long-enough outing, he had turned in six consecutive quality starts. Wood will bring a 3.68 ERA and 1.17 WHIP (117 1/3 innings) into a home showdown with the Astros when he next takes to the mound.
MLB Betting Trends
Houston
The Astros have won five of Verlander’s last six starts on the road but are just 2-5 in their last seven games overall.
Los Angeles
The Dodgers are 6-2 in Wood’s last eight starts and are 15-7 in his last 22 home outings.
Prediction:
We all remember the show these two teams put on in the World Series last year but the under is actually 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings. The under is also 4-1 in the last five meetings in L.A., is 5-2 in the Dodgers’ last seven games overall and is 7-3-1 in Verlander’s last 11 road starts.
The Pick: Astros/Dodgers under 7