Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 7/4/25, 6:01 PM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 1/13/26 at 9:30 AM in MLB Picks

The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers will kick off a three-game weekend series today with Game 1 at Dodger Stadium in LA. The first pitch is scheduled for 9:10 p.m. EST for this rivalry.

Both teams are once again at the top of their respective divisions this season and are considered contenders for their respective league championships and the World Series. Houston comes into this game off a 7-6 loss to the lowly Rockies but has won eight of their last ten. The Dodgers are fresh off a sweep of the White Sox and have won nine of their last ten. Lance McCullers Jr. will get the start for the Astros. McCullers has had some struggles in his return from injury, going 1-3 in eight starts with a 6.61 ERA and 1.62 WHIP. He was hit hard in his last start, giving up seven hits (including three home runs) and eight runs to the Cubs in 3 1/3 innings while walking four and striking out one. The Dodgers will start the day with a reliever on the mound, Ben Casparius. Casparius is 6-2 in 28 appearances, including two starts. He has a 3.97 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.