• The Dodgers and Astros continue their three-game series on Saturday
• Houston is favored at home after shutting out Los Angeles in the opener
• Read below for Dodgers vs Astros prediction, odds, starting pitchers and injury news

The Los Angeles Dodgers (62-43) take on the Houston Astros (54-49) in the second game of a three-game series on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The action kicks off at 7:10 PM ET under the lights of Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX. Fans can catch this one on Spectrum SportsNet Los Angeles (SNLA) and Space City Home Network (SCHN).

The oddsmakers have the Astros as the favorites, with the moneyline set at Astros -145 and Dodgers +115. The over/under is set at a tempting 8.5 runs for those who like a little variety in their bets.

Here is our Dodgers vs Astros prediction for Saturday, along with a breakdown of the starting pitchers.

Dodgers vs Astros Prediction Saturday

The Astros drew first blood in the series opener, shutting out the Dodgers 5-0 thanks to homers from Alex Bregman and Jon Singleton. Despite leading the AL in average (.261) and hits (916), the Astros rank just sixth in the league with 117 dingers.

Manager Joe Espada isn’t too worried, though, saying, “There’s some power in there, but we’ve got to find a way to get some runs across.” Hey, a win’s a win, right?

On the other side of the diamond, the Dodgers have been absolutely sizzling since the All-Star break, snagging six wins in their last seven games. However, they’ll be missing All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, who was scratched from Friday’s lineup due to a family emergency

Freddie Freeman hasn’t missed a game this season and keeps posting even as his family is going through a difficult time. @chelseafree5 shared this 💙 🙏 pic.twitter.com/bvCHOYXNYI

— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 25, 2024

Freeman’s absence could loom large, as he’s hitting .288 with 16 homers and 61 walks this season. Cavan Biggio stepped in to fill the void but had a night to forget, going 0-for-4 with a hat trick of strikeouts.

The key to this game could be the starting pitchers. If Astros veteran Ronel Blanco can continue his strong season and keep the Dodgers’ bats quiet, Houston should have the edge. But if Wrobleski rises to the occasion in hostile territory, the Dodgers could steal one on the road.

Ultimately, when you factor in the Astros’ lights-out pitching, home-field advantage, and the Dodgers’ missing slugger, the smart money is on the Astros squeaking out a close one on Saturday.

Saturday MLB Pick:

• Astros ML (-145 at DraftKings)

Dodgers vs Astros Odds

The bookies are giving the nod to the Astros in this one, with a moneyline of -145 that implies a 58.3% chance of them coming out on top. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are the underdogs at +115, which means they’ve got a 46.5% shot at pulling off the upset.

The Astros have earned their favorite status thanks to their rock-solid pitching rotation, anchored by starter Ronel Blanco (9-5, 2.75 ERA), and their knack for putting runs on the board without relying too heavily on the long ball.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a stab at the run line, where the Astros -1.5 (+145) are expected to win by at least two runs, and the Dodgers +1.5 (-175) are projected to keep it within a run or spring an upset win.

The over/under of 8.5 runs suggests that the oddsmakers are anticipating a bit of a slugfest, probably due to the Astros’ consistent offense and the Dodgers’ ability to put up crooked numbers even without Freeman in the lineup.

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Odds as of July 27, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim the DraftKings Sportsbook promo to bet on Saturday baseball.

Dodgers vs Astros Starting Pitchers

The Astros will hand the ball to their trusty right-hander Ronel Blanco (9-5, 2.75 ERA) on Saturday. Blanco had a bit of a hiccup in his last start against the Seattle Mariners, giving up a season-high-tying four earned runs and taking the loss.

But don’t let that fool you – he’s been a reliable arm for the Astros all season, posting a solid 3.90 ERA over his last five trips to the hill.

In his only previous start against the Dodgers on June 24, 2023, Blanco went six innings, allowing three runs on two hits (both dingers), while racking up six strikeouts and issuing two free passes in a no-decision.

The Dodgers will counter with rookie southpaw Justin Wrobleski (0-1, 4.40 ERA), who will be making just his fourth big-league start.

Wrobleski has shown flashes of brilliance in his brief MLB stint, giving up four runs over five innings in his debut against the Milwaukee Brewers and then tossing 4 1/3 scoreless frames against the Boston Red Sox in his most recent outing.

This will be his first time facing the Astros, so it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of a big-time interleague matchup.

With Blanco’s experience and track record of success this season, the Astros may have a slight upper hand in the battle of the starting pitchers. But don’t sleep on Wrobleski’s potential and the Dodgers’ shutdown bullpen – they could make things very interesting in the later innings.

Los Angeles vs Los Angeles Injury Report

The most significant injury news for this game is the absence of Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who was scratched from Friday’s lineup to tend to a family matter. Freeman’s son was hospitalized following a viral infection, and manager Dave Roberts did not provide a timetable for Freeman’s return.

Cavan Biggio and Enrique Hernandez are expected to fill in at first base during Freeman’s absence.

Freeman’s bat will be missed in the Dodgers’ lineup, as he is hitting .288 with 16 home runs and 61 walks this season. His presence could be a significant factor in the outcome of this game and the series.

The post Dodgers vs Astros Prediction, Odds, Starting Pitchers & Injury Report (Saturday, July 27) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.