In a rematch of the controversial 2017 World Series, the Houston Astros (41-34) will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (41-33) in the first of a three-game series on Friday. Los Angeles will host this one at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 pm ET.
The Dodgers are the favorites playing at home in this one. They are -146 to win, while the Astros’ moneyline sits at +124. The runline features Houston +1.5 (-160), and the over/under for total runs is nine.
Houston Heading Into Hostile Territory For Weekend Series
While many of the boos and jeers have mostly subsided from the 2017 cheating scandal, the Astros should prepare for a relatively raucous environment in L.A. on Friday. While many Astros players have gotten used to being heckled, it will still be a tough environment to win in on the road, where the Astros are 19-15 this season.
Taking the ball for Houston Friday is rookie J.P. France. In eight games, the 28-year-old righty is 2-2 with a 3.42 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and he has 38 strikeouts in 47.1 innings. In his last three starts, France has given up just six earned runs over a combined 20.1 innings of work.
Offensively, the Astros rank 14th in the majors in scoring, averaging 4.48 runs per game. They are slightly better on the road this year, averaging 4.59 runs.
With slugger Yordan Alvarez still out with an oblique injury, Alex Bregman has been the major staple of the offense. In 286 at bats, he is hitting .248/.341/.399 with 10 home runs, 44 runs batted in, and 42 runs scored.
Kyle Tucker is also having a nice season. He is hitting .274/.349/.433 with nine home runs, 41 runs batted in, 33 runs scored, and a team-high 14 stolen bases.
Dodgers In Unfamiliar Territory In Their Division
At 41-33, the Los Angeles Dodgers sit in unfamiliar territory in the NL West as they sit third overall, four games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. Knowing that the division will be tough all season, they will look to pick up every win they can, especially at home, where they are 22-14.
The Dodgers’ offense continues to be one of the best in baseball. They rank fourth overall, averaging 5.31 runs per game.
Mookie Betts (17 HR, 43 RBI, 54 R), J.D. Martinez (16 HR, 48 RBI, 32 R), and Freddie Freeman (14 HR, 47 RBI, 60 R, 10 SB) are all having fantastic seasons for the Dodgers this year.
On the mound, Friday will be 23-year-old righty, Emmet Sheehan. Sheehan has pitched in just one game in his career, but he was relatively impressive. In six innings in a no-decision against the Giants, he allowed no runs on no hits, while striking out three and walking two.
Take The Dodgers To Win The Opener
Houston has won back-to-back games coming into this one, but they are just 1-5 in their last six road games and 3-6 in their last nine against the Dodgers.
For Los Angeles, they are 4-1 in their last five interleague games and undefeated in their last eight against AL West opponents.
There is certainly no love lost between these two teams. With the animosity brewing, you can probably throw most records and trends out the window. The interesting aspect of this matchup, though, will be how the young starters will fare.
If the Astros were at full strength, there would be good value in them, but without Yordan Alvarez, Michael Brantley, and others, the edge might go to the Dodgers.
Take Los Angeles to win the opener straight up at -146.
