In a rematch of the 2017 World Series, the Houston Astros are in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers with both teams looking to their starting pitchers to be at the top of the rotation for another deep run in October.
Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (-135, 8)
For the Astros, Hunter Brown gets the start on the mound. He’s hit a rough patch lately, allowing at least three runs in three of his past four starts and for the season, has a 3.46 ERA on the road with 1.3 home runs per nine innings allowed.
Sunday might be Brown’s toughest test to date with the Dodgers entering the weekend leading the league in walks and ranking second in the National League in home on-base percentage, total runs per game and home runs.
The Astros offense has not been what it was in past seasons, ranking just 21st in on-base percentage, 15th in runs per game and 14th in home runs but have averaged more runs and home runs on the road than at home this season.
A positive for the Astros is a possible regression for Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin, who for the second straight season has a fielding independent more than a full point higher than his ERA.
In 2022, Gonsolin posted a 16-1 record with a 2.14 ERA with a 3.28 fielding independent with a .207 opponent batting average on balls in play, which has fallen even lower to .194 this season. For the 2023 season, he has a 2.92 ERA despite registering a 4.11 fielding independent with 7.4 strikeouts to 3.6 walks per nine innings.
In his last five starts, Gonsolin has allowed at least three runs in three of his last five starts, resulting in a 2-3 record. This will add more pressure on a Dodgers bullpen that entered the weekend with a 4.83 ERA, the second-worst mark in the National League.
With the sheer amount of power in the Dodgers lineup coupled with a regressing Tony Gonsolin who is backed up by a struggling bullpen, Sunday Night Baseball will be an offensive showcase.
The Play: Astros vs. Dodgers Over 8
