MLB · 2 months ago

MLB on FOX: Astros vs Dodgers Same Game Parlay Picks Today

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

MLB on FOX: Astros vs Dodgers Same Game Parlay Picks Today

All eyes turn to Dodger Stadium tonight as the Los Angeles Dodgers look to shake off an embarrassing home loss and get right back in the win column against the Houston Astros. After suffering their worst defeat ever at Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers will be determined to deliver payback under the lights in LA. With Shohei Ohtani set to lead the charge at the plate and the bats primed for a bounce-back, the stage is set for a big-time response. The Astros won’t go quietly, but the Dodgers’ lethal lineup should have enough firepower to make a statement on national TV.

After going three for three on Thursday night, let’s look to cash again tonight, with a juicy three-leg SGP.

HOU vs LAD Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates

Where to Watch Astros vs Dodgers

Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: FOX
Follow: SportsGrid App (Google Play Store or Apple Store)
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Spread: LAD -1.5 (+140) | Total: 8.5
Moneyline: HOU +124| LAD -146

Odds Subject to Change. Get the Most Up-to-Date Odds Here.

Leg 1: Dodgers Moneyline vs Astros -146

Coming off the franchise’s worst loss at Dodger Stadium in history, LA will be seething for payback tonight at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers were pounded early and often in last night’s series opener, and when it was all said and done, they were looking at an 18-1 sloshing. Houston chased starter Ben Casparius after three innings on its way to putting up 20 hits on a night that was all Astros. I see the tide turning tonight.

While the 18 runs allowed are the massive elephant in the room, LA scoring just one run is also worth noting. This is the best offense in MLB, tied for the league lead in batting average, hitting .261, while scoring the most runs in baseball at 5.6 per game.

The Dodgers’ advanced metrics also paint the picture of a juggernaut at the plate. LA leads baseball in xSLG (.481), xwOBA (.356), and xBA (.270).

While LA’s test will be more challenging tonight, facing Framber Valdez, after seeing Lance McCullers last night. That said, the Dodgers have fared well against lefties. LA leads the league in slugging .467 against southpaws, to go along with baseball’s most home runs (40).

It really couldn’t be a worse time to have Shohei Ohtani on the mound, as he’s only expected to go two innings. This follows a game where LA was forced to use four bullpen arms. On the bright side, most of the Dodgers’ leverage relievers did not pitch last night.

LA is too good a team to follow up last night’s dud with another stinker for the Dodger Stadium fans, so I like them to take care of business tonight against Houston.

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.

Leg 2: Framber Valdez Under 5.5 Strikeouts -160

While Framber Valdez is an excellent pitcher, with some solid swing-and-miss stuff, I like him going under six strikeouts tonight against a motivated Dodgers side.

Valdez sits sixth in the American League with 108 strikeouts on the year to go along with a sterling 2.72 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. The Astros’ ace clearly has earned his nine wins on the year, with stellar numbers like this.

Despite the outstanding traditional stats, Valdez’s advanced metrics imply he may be due for some regression. His xERA of 3.78 is more than a run higher than his actual earned run average, while his xBA (.250) is 36 points higher than his opponents’ batting average. These numbers suggest Valdez has been getting away with some mistakes and/or getting bailed out by his defense at times. In the realm of Ks, the Dominican hurler has a slightly above average whiff rate at 26.6% and below average fastball velocity (94.1 MPH).

While LA has plenty of hitters who swing for the fences and often come up with nothing but dust, they have performed better against lefties. The big booming bats of the Dodgers have the eighth-fewest strikeouts against southpaws with 188 on the season. This, compared to having the 15th-most Ks against righties (535), shows quite a discrepancy. Further delving into their numbers, LA also sports the fifth-best batting average (.259) and eighth-best OBP (.320) against LHP, showing they are no easy out.

The Dodgers’ advanced metrics speak to their ability to make contact. LA ranks sixth with 2,350 batted balls on the season to go along with the third most barrels hit at 241. It’s clear how often the boys in blue and white work the count, seeing the second-most pitches in baseball this season at 13,441. Their patience has paid off, drawing the second-most walks in MLB at 332 in 2025.

I expected LA’s bats to come out aggressive but with purpose tonight, and I think they get to Valdez early. The quicker the hook, the better for our K prop.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.

Leg 3: Shohei Ohtani 2+ Bases -125

Shohei Ohtani is the favorite among all players in this game to get two bases on the night. While his history against Valdez isn’t spectacular, it is long, and we’re banking on his experience against Houston’s top hurler.

No batter in LA’s lineup has seen Framber Valdez more than Ohtani. All those years in the AL West, when his Los Angeles Angels were battling Framber’s Houston Astros, add up to a whole lot of one-on-one showdowns. While Valdez has bested Shohei, holding him to just five hits in 36 at-bats, Ohtani knows Valdez’s stuff up and down after 42 plate appearances.

Hitting from the leadoff spot, Ohtani should get plenty of opportunities to cash two bags tonight. The Dodgers slugger is third in baseball with 30 home runs, to go along with 12 doubles and seven triples, so he more than has the ability to check off this parlay leg with one swing of the bat.

Looking at Shohei’s advanced metrics, we see why his offensive numbers are off the charts. Ohtani sits third with an xwOBA of .431 and first with a .652 xSLG. Those numbers come from the second-best barrel rate in baseball at 22.1% and by far the top hard hit rate at 60.6%. Not only does he strike hard, but strikes fast with a bat speed at 76.1 MPH, landing in the top four percent of big league hitters.

After going 0-for-3 in last night’s series opener and just two hits in his past 22 at-bats, I like Ohtani to break out in a big way tonight.