{"id":101213,"date":"2015-08-21T16:07:22","date_gmt":"2015-08-21T23:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.capperspicks.com\/blog\/?p=101213"},"modified":"2015-08-21T16:07:22","modified_gmt":"2015-08-21T23:07:22","slug":"l-a-vs-houston-free-mlb-pick-handicapping-lines-preview-8-21-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capperspicks.com\/blog\/mlb-baseball\/l-a-vs-houston-free-mlb-pick-handicapping-lines-preview-8-21-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"L.A. vs. Houston Free MLB Pick & Handicapping Lines Preview 8-21-2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

MLB Prediction: Dodgers vs Astros<\/h2>\n

Major League Baseball betting<\/strong>\u00a0sees the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong>\u00a0taking on the Houston Astros<\/strong>\u00a0on Friday August 21st at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all MLB season long so stay tuned for more FREE MLB baseball predictions. <\/p>\n

\n Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> (67-53) at Houston Astros<\/a> (66-56)<\/strong>
\n Date: Friday August 21st<\/strong>
\n Time: 8:10 PM<\/strong>
\n Venue:\u00a0Minute Maid Park-Houston, Texas<\/strong>
\n MLB Betting Lines: Los Angeles +110,\u00a0Houston Astros -121<\/strong>
\n MLB Betting Total: 8.0<\/strong>
\n Probable Pitchers: \u00a0 Dodgers LH Brett Anderson (7-7, 3.48 ERA)
\n vs. Astros RH Mike Fiers (5-9, 3.87)<\/strong>
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Click here to view…\u00a0MLB ATS Stats<\/a>\u00a0&\u00a0Expert MLB Betting Insight!<\/a><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A new face will be in a Dodgers uniform come Friday night, as 2B Chase Utley is expected to be available and in the lineup. Utley was acquired early in the week for a pair of prospects and is expected to play a big role in the Dodgers lineup going forward.<\/p>\n

Both the Dodgers and Astros come into Friday’s contest holding 2.5 game leads in their respective divisions as they try to extend their leads during this weekend inter league series. <\/p>\n

The Dodgers hold a 2.5 game lead over the Giants in NL West. The Astros hold a 2.5 game lead over the Angels in the AL West.<\/p>\n

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The Dodgers will call upon LH Brett Anderson to try and continue the Dodgers winning ways. The Astros will counter with RH Mike Fiers in the series opener.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Dodgers<\/h3>\n

Good teams make the necessary moves when needed. That is exactly what the Dodgers front office did as they went out and acquired Chase Utley in a waiver trade for 2 prospects. The deal comes on the heels of 2B Howie Kendrick going on the 15 Day DL with a hamstring injury. <\/p>\n

Utley was hitting just .217 with 5 home runs and 30 RBI for the Phillies this season, but the mood has been consistently down there as the team was never in any position to compete this season.<\/p>\n

The Dodgers come in on a low note as they were swept away in a short 2 game series in Oakland. Still, the Dodgers find themselves in a solid position as they hold the lead in the AL West.<\/p>\n

Trying to the brakes on this short losing streak, LH Brett Anderson will be called upon.<\/p>\n

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Anderson bounced back nicely as he allowed just 3 runs on 6 hits in 6.0 innings of work as he defeated the Reds 8-3. <\/p>\n

Anderson hasn’t faced Houston since 2013, but worked 3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the save in that outing.<\/p>\n

Houston Astros<\/h3>\n

Houston has been clinging to their lead in the AL West all season long.<\/p>\n

They’ve endured some bad losing streaks, but have been able to cancel those out with some solid bounce back winning streaks. Thanks in large part to the Angels sluggish 2nd half start, the Astros hold a 2.5 game lead on them still. <\/p>\n

Houston’s contributions have come from many players, but Jose Altuve especially. The 2B lost his 6 game hitting streak yesterday as he was 13 for 30 during that span. <\/p>\n

Houston will call upon RH Matt Fiers to try and grab a series opening win Friday night. <\/p>\n

The Houston RH was acquired from Milwaukee prior to the trade deadline and will be making his 4th start in an Astros’ uniform.<\/p>\n

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Fiers has recored 3 straight no decisions in his starts with Houston. He allowed only 2 runs in 5.1 innings of work against the Tigers on Sunday. <\/p>\n

Fiers has had trouble with the long ball all season long as he allowed 6 over his last 7 starts. <\/p>\n

MLB Betting Trends:<\/h3>\n