Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros Predictions, MLB Picks, Betting Tips 7/29/2020

Game: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros

Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Location: Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX

TV: SNLA/ESPN/ATSW

Odds/Point Spread: Dodgers (-130) Astros (+120)

The Los Angeles Dodgers visit Minute Maid Park on Wednesday to play the Houston Astros. The probable starters are Dustin May for the Dodgers and Cristian Javier for the Astros.

The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles at -130 and Houston at +120. 

Key Los Angeles Dodgers Injuries

7/28/2020 Edwin Uceta RP Undisclosed Expected to be out until at least Jul 28
7/28/2020 Alex Wood SP Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Aug 7
7/27/2020 Clayton Kershaw SP Back Expected to be out until at least Jul 31
7/25/2020 Zach Reks LF Undisclosed Expected to be out until at least Aug 1
7/21/2020 Jimmy Nelson SP Back Out for the season
7/16/2020 Keibert Ruiz C Undisclosed Expected to be out until at least Jul 28

Key Houston Astros Injuries

7/28/2020 Ralph Garza RP Undisclosed Expected to be out until at least Jul 28
7/28/2020 Shawn Dubin SP Undisclosed Expected to be out until at least Jul 28
7/27/2020 Austin Pruitt RP Elbow Expected to be out until at least Aug 30
7/27/2020 Chris Devenski RP Arm Expected to be out until at least Aug 1
7/27/2020 Ryan Pressly RP Elbow Expected to be out until at least Aug 1
7/26/2020 Justin Verlander SP Forearm Expected to be out until at least Sep 15
7/25/2020 Aledmys Diaz 1B Groin Expected to be out until at least Aug 7
7/24/2020 Yordan Alvarez DH Undisclosed Expected to be out until at least Jul 31
7/24/2020 Cionel Perez RP Undisclosed Expected to be out until at least Aug 10
7/23/2020 Jose Urquidy SP Undisclosed Expected to be out until at least Aug 11
7/23/2020 Rogelio Armenteros RP Elbow Expected to be out until at least Aug 15
7/23/2020 Brad Peacock SP Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Jul 31

Useful Pitching Statistics

Starting pitcher Dustin May had a 2-3 record with an earned run average of 3.63 and a WHIP of 1.10. He had 32 strikeouts over his 34.2 innings pitched and he gave up 33 hits. He allowed 8.6 hits per 9 innings and he had a FIP of 2.9. The bullpen had an earned run average of 3.85 and they gave up 453 base hits on the year. Teams hit .218 against the bullpen while striking out 581 hitters and walking 186 batters. As a team, Los Angeles allowed 7.5 hits per nine innings while striking out 9.5 batters per nine innings. They were 1st in the league in team earned run average at 3.37. The Dodgers pitchers collectively gave up 1,201 base hits and 541 earned runs last year. They allowed 185 home runs last season, ranking them 29th in the league. Los Angeles as a pitching staff walked 392 batters and struck out 1,519. They walked 2.4 men per 9 innings while striking out 9.5 per 9. They had a team WHIP of 1.10 and their FIP as a unit was 3.73.

Hitting Statistics

As a team Los Angeles hit .257, good for 11th in the league. The Dodgers held a .472 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .338, which was good for 6th in baseball. They ranked 13th in MLB with 8.7 hits per game. Justin Turner hit .290 with an on-base percentage of .372 last year. He had 139 hits last season in 479 at bats with 67 runs batted in. He had a slugging percentage of .509 and an OPS+ of 131. Enrique Hernandez hit .237 last year and he had an on-base percentage of .304. He totaled 98 hits and he drove in 64 men in 414 at bats. His OPS+ was 87 while his slugging percentage was at .411. The Dodgers had 1,414 hits last season, including 302 doubles and 279 home runs. Los Angeles walked 607 times last year and they struck out 1,356 times as a unit. They left 1,124 men on base and had a team OPS of .810. They scored 5.47 runs per contest and scored a total of 886 runs last year.

Useful Pitching Statistics

Cristian Javier is expected to get the start in the place of the injured Justin Verlander. If he performs well it could earn him a spot in the rotation. The bullpen had an earned run average of 3.75 and they gave up 470 base hits on the year. Teams hit .224 against the Astros bullpen. Their relievers struck out 608 batters and walked 197 opposing hitters. As a team, Houston allowed 7.4 hits per nine innings while striking out 10.3 batters per nine innings. They were 3rd in the league in team earned run average at 3.66. The Astros pitchers as a team surrendered 1,205 base knocks and 595 earned runs last season. They gave up 230 home runs last year, which ranked 12th in Major League Baseball. Houston as a staff walked 448 hitters and struck out 1,671 batters. They gave up a walk 2.8 times per 9 innings while they struck out 10.3 per 9. Their team WHIP was 1.13 while their FIP as a staff was 3.98.

Hitting Statistics

As a team, they batted .274, good for 1st in the league. The Astros held a .495 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .352, which was good for 1st in baseball. They ranked 3rd in MLB with 9.5 hits per contest. Michael Brantley comes into this matchup after batting .311 with an OBP of .372 last season. He had 179 hits last year along with 90 RBI in 575 AB's. He maintained a slugging percentage of .503 with an OPS+ of 126. Jose Altuve hit .298 last season and he had an OBP of .353. He collected 149 hits in 500 at bats while driving in 74 runs. He had an OPS+ of 131 and a slugging percentage of .550. The Astros as a unit had 1,538 base hits last season, including 323 doubles and 288 homers. Houston walked 645 times last year and they struck out on 1,166 occasions. They left 1,168 men on base and had an OPS of .848. They scored 5.68 runs per game and totaled 920 runs last year.

Who will win tonight's Dodgers/Astros MLB game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Astros (+120)

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