Houston Astros vs La Dodgers Dodgers Picks and Predictions July 26th 2024

Dodgers Aim to Carry Momentum on Road into Opener vs. Astros

The Los Angeles Dodgers covered a stirring start to the final part of the time on Thursday with a 6-4 triumph over the San Francisco Giants. The game included the arrival of Clayton Kershaw and one more home run from Shohei Ohtani.

Key Exhibitions

Kershaw allowed two runs on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts north of four innings in his season presentation and first appearance since Oct. 7, 2023. Ohtani returned to-back with Scratch Ahmed in the lower part of the eighth inning, clubbing his National League-driving 31st homer to assist with lifting the Dodgers to their 6th dominate in seven matches since the All-Star break. The Dodgers dropped six of seven preceding the break.

“We understand what sort of group we are,” said Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes, who went 2-for-4 and expanded his career-best hitting streak to 11 continuous games. “We clearly had a few tough situations, however we’re as yet quite possibly of the best group in baseball. We feel much better about ourselves.”

Forthcoming Pitching Matchup

Right-hander Gavin Stone (9-3, 3.19 ERA) has the starting task for the Dodgers on Friday. Stone didn’t factor into the choice last Friday subsequent to giving up one sudden spike in demand for six hits with three strikeouts north of five innings in the Dodgers’ 4-1 triumph over the Boston Red Sox. Since throwing his most memorable career shutout on June 26 against the Chicago White Sox, Stone is 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in three starts. Stone will make his most memorable career start against the Houston Astros. He is 4-0 with a 3.60 ERA in eight career interleague appearances, including six starts.

Astros’ Pitching Situation

Left-hander Framber Valdez (8-5, 3.63 ERA) is the scheduled starter for Houston in the series opener. Valdez allowed two runs on three hits and four walks with six strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners but did not factor into the decision of a 4-2 victory. After dropping consecutive road starts last month, Valdez is 3-0 with a 2.97 ERA in his last five starts with 32 strikeouts over 30 1/3 innings.

Valdez is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers, both coming during the 2020 season. In his lone home start against the Dodgers that season, Valdez allowed three runs on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings in a 5-2 loss on July 28.

Astros’ Recent Performance

Behind right-hander Tracker Brown, who has arisen as the staff ace throughout the course of recent weeks, the Astros salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the Oakland Sports with a 8-1 win on Wednesday. The Astros finished a six-game excursion at 3-3, sufficient to get back to Houston for a nine-game homestand in the lead position in the American League West. It will stamp the initial time this season that the Astros play at home while on the division. Houston followed the Seattle Sailors by 10 games as of late as June 18.

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Player and Administrator Remarks

“That was a major success,” said Brown, who is 8-2 with a 2.10 ERA during a stretch of 12 sequential starts of no less than six innings pitched. “Bring it into the homestand and play some great baseball there.”

Added Astros outfielder Chas McCormick: “It will really energize. Our fans need it, we need it and this is the best season. We must secure down and prepare to win … all games imaginable. It will be amusing to play at Minute House keeper (Park).”

Conclusion

The Dodgers head into their series against the Astros with critical force, floated by the arrival of Clayton Kershaw and the force of Shohei Ohtani. As Gavin Stone takes the hill, Los Angeles expects to proceed with its triumphant ways. The Astros, drove by Framber Valdez and motivated by their new move to the highest point of the AL West, hope to set their situation at home. With the still up in the air to keep up with their new achievement, this series vows to be an outright exhilarating challenge between two stalwart establishments.