Houston Astros at Los Angeles Dodgers odds, picks and predictions

The Houston Astros (41-34) and Los Angeles Dodgers (41-33) meet Friday to kick off a 3-game series. First pitch from Dodger Stadium is set for 10:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting of 2023; 2021 series tied 2-2

Houston won 10-8 as a -136 home favorite vs. the New York Mets Wednesday to win the series 2-1 and close out a 9-game homestand. The Astros went 4-5 during that stretch including a 5-game losing skid, but won back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday to close it out.

Los Angeles won 2-0 as a +129 road underdog Wednesday vs. the Los Angeles Angels to complete a 2-0 series sweep. The Dodgers have won back-to-back games after being swept in a 3-game series vs. San Francisco Giants last Friday-Sunday.

Astros at Dodgers projected starters

RHP J.P. France vs. RHP Emmet Sheehan

France (2-2, 3.42 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 through 47 1/3 IP.

• Last outing: Loss, 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K in a 2-1 home loss Friday vs. Cincinnati Reds
• First career start vs. the Dodgers

Sheehan (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 2nd career start. He has a 0.33 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 4.5 K/9 through 6 IP.

• Last outing/first career appearance: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 3 K in a 7-5 home loss Friday vs. Giants
• Promoted from Double A-Tulsa after going 4-1 with a 1.86 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 14.9 K/9 over 10 starts and 2 relief appearances in 2023

Astros at Dodgers odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:18 p.m. ET.

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Astros at Dodgers picks and predictions

Prediction

Dodgers 6, Astros 5

LEAN DODGERS (-150).

Recent meetings between L.A. and Houston have been pretty even recently and both teams have been middling over their last 10 games. Both teams have won back-to-back games but the Dodgers home dominance is what gives them the slight edge here. The Astros are 2-5 in their last 7 road games and the Dodgers are 22-14 at home this season.

PASS.

I like the idea of the Astros at +1.5 (-160) covering here as recent matchups have been pretty even and these teams seem evenly matched this season, but this line is a little steeper than I am comfortable with.

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LEAN OVER 8.5 (-115).

The Over is 4-1 in Houston’s last 5 games and 8-0 in their last 8 games when their opponent scored 2 runs or less in their previous game, per covers.com.

The Over is 3-2 in Los Angeles’ last 5 overall, 4-0-1 in their last 5 home games and 3-0-1 in their last 4 Friday games.

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