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Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview (August 3): Hated Rivals Renew Plesantries in L.A.
Written by: Matt Wiesenfeld
Last Updated:
Read Time: 7 minutes
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Yesterday was a quiet day in MLB. The big news is that Gerrit Cole has COVID and won’t start tonight. The list of key players missing games is growing, and it has certainly had an effect on MLB betting over recent weeks.
The news about Cole might have an effect on the Yankees’ matchup with the Baltimore Orioles, but I am much more excited for the very possible World Series preview we are getting in L.A. with the Astros visiting. You have to think that if any fans are going to let Houston have it for cheating it will be these ones.
Both teams have similar records and the Dodgers need the series as they try and catch San Francisco in the NL West. Houston is a little more comfortable at the top of the AL West, even though they dropped their series to the Giants over the weekend. Another reason L.A. might be keen to take them on.
MLB Betting Matchup: Houston Astros (64-42) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (64-43), Sportsnet LA, 10:10 PM ET
Pitching Probables
- Houston Astros: Lance McCullers Jr (8-2, 3.23 ERA)
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Walker Buehler (11-1, 2.19 ERA)
Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Odds
- Moneyline: Houston +150, Los Angeles -180
- Total: OVER 8.5 (-113), UNDER 8.5 (-107)
- Run Line: Houston +1.5 (-141), Los Angeles -1.5 (+117)
Odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Tuesday, August 3, at 8:57 am ET. For MLB betting odds for today’s other matchups, check out our MLB odds.
Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Consensus
- Moneyline: Houston 25%, Los Angeles 75%
- Total: Over 75%, Under 75%
- Run Line: Houston 75%, Los Angeles 25%
Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Outlook
Astros In the Crosshairs to Start the Week
Yes, there should be some intensity for this one, but I am looking forward to it because these are two great teams. Houston is the top-scoring team in the league, but this will be a challenge for the Astros. They have to navigate without the DH, and they will be facing one of MLB’s top pitching teams. That offense is down a couple of key bats with third baseman Alex Bregman still not back in the lineup and outfielder Michael Brantley dealing with a minor ankle injury.
The Astros should still have plenty of offense with the duo of Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa in fine form. They can also boast one of the best bullpens in the Majors after the moves they made at the deadline.
L.A. Still World Series Favorite Despite Trailing Giants in NL West
The Dodgers are second in the Majors in scoring and first in ERA, and it is hard to find a team that is empirically better. This has not been an easy season though, hence the acquisition of three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and All-Star shortstop Trea Turner at the deadline. Turner is in COVID protocols, and Scherzer has yet to make his first start, but both look like significant additions.
Health is going to be critical for this team. Shortstop Corey Seager came back over the weekend, playing for the first time since mid-May. He looked pretty good with a few hits over his first three games. The Dodgers scored 21 runs in their last two games against Arizona. Maybe Seager unlocks the offense even more. If so, that is scary. So is the fact that they are scoring a ton without really having a tremendous season. It has been a total team effort.
Lance McCullers Home vs. Away
- Home: 2-2, 3.35 ERA, 51 IP, 51 Ks, 23 BBs
- Away: 6-0, 3.09 ERA, 46.2 IP, 64 Ks, 25 BBs
Walker Buehler Home vs. Away
- Home: 6-1, 2.21 ERA, 77.1 IP, 83 Ks, 20 BBs
- Away: 5-0, 2.16 ERA, 58.1 IP, 56 Ks, 11 BBs
We get a really strong pitching matchup in the opener of this series. Buehler has been dominant, and with Jacob deGrom sidelined, he is now the NL Cy Young favorite.
By comparison, McCullers doesn’t have the overall numbers that Buehler does. but you have to like his road record. It is hard to beat perfect. Both of these pitchers have lots of experience in big games and should pitch well.
Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Dodgers August 3 Best Bet
Houston Astros ML
These are two great teams. It is hard to fade the Dodgers and even harder when Buehler starts.
But the value is all with the Astros in this spot, especially with the bullpen upgrades as they will be able to play the NL game even better right now. They are not underdogs often and this looks like a smart spot to play them.
MLB Betting Matchups: Tuesday, August 3
MLB Betting Matchup: Philadelphia Phillies vs Washington Nationals, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 7:05 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Philadelphia Phillies: Zach Wheeler (8-6, 2.45 ERA)
- Washington Nationals: Patrick Corbin (6-9, 5.78 ERA)
MLB Betting Matchup: Baltimore Orioles vs New York Yankees, MLB Network, 7:05 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Baltimore Orioles: Alexander Wells (1-1, 5.28 ERA)
- New York Yankees: TBD
Baltimore Orioles vs New York Yankees August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: Cleveland Indians vs Toronto Blue Jays, Sportsnet, 7:07 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Cleveland Indians: Zach Plesac (6-3, 4.26 ERA)
- Toronto Blue Jays: Hyun-Jin Ryu (10-5, 3.26 ERA)
Cleveland Indians vs Toronto Blue Jays August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers, MLB Network, 7:10 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Boston Red Sox: Garrett Richards (6-6, 5.15 ERA)
- Detroit Tigers: Wily Peralta (3-2, 3.64 ERA)
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays, Bally Sports Sun, 7:10, PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Seattle Mariners: Yusei Kikuchi (6-6, 4.01 ERA)
- Tampa Bay Rays: Luis Patino (2-2, 4.26 ERA)
Seattle Mariners vs Tampa Bay Rays August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: Minnesota Twins vs. Cincinnati Reds, Bally Sports Ohio, 7:10, PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Minnesota Twins: Kenta Maeda (4-4, 4.40 ERA)
- Cincinnati Reds: Tyler Mahle (8-3, 3.71 ERA)
Minnesota Twins vs. Cincinnati Reds August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: New York Mets vs Miami Marlins, Bally Sports Florida, 7:10 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- New York Mets: Tijuan Walker (7-5, 3.71 ERA)
- Miami Marlins: TBD
New York Mets vs Miami Marlins August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: Los Angeles Angels vs Texas Rangers, Bally Sports Southwest, 8:05 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Los Angeles Angels: Jose Suarez (4-4, 3.45 ERA)
- Texas Rangers: Jordan Lyles (5-7, 5.04 ERA)
Los Angeles Angels vs Texas Rangers August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 8:10 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Kansas City Royals: Kris Bubic (3-4 4.58 ERA)
- Chicago White Sox: Dylan Cease (7-6, 4.14 ERA)
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers, Bally Sports Wisconsin, 8:10 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Max Kranick (1-2, 7.31 ERA)
- Milwaukee Brewers: Adrian Houser (7-5, 3.69 ERA)
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals, Bally Sports Midwest, 8:10 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Atlanta Braves: Max Fried (7-7, 4.32 ERA)
- St Louis Cardinals: Jon Lester (3-5, 5.02 ERA)
Atlanta Braves vs. St Louis Cardinals August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies, ATT Sportsnet Rocky Mountain, 8:40 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- Chicago Cubs: Zachi Davies (6-7, 4.39 ERA)
- Colorado Rockies: Kyle Freeland (1-6, 4.52 ERA
Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: San Diego Padres vs. Oakland A’s, NBC Sports California, 9:40 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- San Diego Padres: Blake Snell (4-4, 5.44 ERA)
- Oakland A’s: TBD
San Diego Padres vs. Oakland A’s August 3 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
MLB Betting Matchup: San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks, Bally Sports Arizona, 9:40 PM ET
Probable Pitchers
- San Francisco Giants: Johnny Cueto (7-5, 3.84)
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Madison Bumgarner (5-6, 4.87 ERA)
Matt Wiesenfeld
Matt has been an active sports betting content contributor on the web for more than a decade, though new to the Betting News team. His favorite sports to bet are college hoops, college football, and MLB.
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