Friday 10-27-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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MLB
Dunkel

Friday, October 27


LA Dodgers @ Houston

Game 905-906
October 27, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Darvish) 16.994
Houston
(McCllers) 18.225
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-130
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-130); Under

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World Series Game 3 betting preview and odds: Dodgers at Astros

Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros (-115, 8.5)

Series tied 1-1

The Houston Astros emerged victorious in an epic Game 2 and now look to take a 2-1 lead when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers for Game 3 of the World Series on Friday. The teams combined for a World Series-record eight home runs on Wednesday, with George Springer's two-run blast in the 11th inning being the biggest in the Astros' come-from-behind 7-6 road win.

Houston carries the momentum home after the comeback triumph and has made the decision to close the roof on Minute Maid Park for Friday's game, assuring that crowd noise will play a role in the festivities. "It's quite an environment when we play under the roof," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said during his press conference on Thursday. "It was one of the loudest stadiums the last series; I expect it to be the same. We're coming off one of the most epic baseball games in any of our careers, so that feels good. It will feel good right up to first pitch, and then it will be a new game." The 4-hour, 19-minute Game 2 classic featured six homers in the final three innings as Los Angeles saw a chance for a 2-0 series advantage evaporate. "I think all year long we've done a nice job of recovering, turning the page, whether it's a big win or tough loss," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "It's a tough loss - just refocusing on the day at hand."

TV: 8:09 p.m. ET, FOX

LINE HISTORY: The Astros opened Game 3 as -125 favorites, but have been bet down to the current number of -115. Oddsmakers set the total at 8.5.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Yu Darvish (2-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0, 2.08)

Darvish has fanned 14 batters in 11 1/3 innings this postseason to improve to 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA in four career playoff starts. The 31-year-old from Japan fared well at Minute Maid Park during his tenure with Texas, going 4-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 0.74 WHIP in six career outings. "I feel like it doesn't really matter," Darvish said of his past success through his translator at his press conference on Thursday. "It's better to know that I've pitched here before. But (Friday's) game, it could be totally different from my previous outings here."

McCullers, who has posted a 2.33 ERA in four playoff appearances (two starts), is making his second start this postseason and has recorded 13 strikeouts in as many innings. The 24-year-old took a shutout into the seventh frame of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series before allowing a homer by New York Yankees rookie slugger Aaron Judge but has been mesmerizing hitters with a steady diet of curveballs. "I don't view it as an off-speed pitch," McCullers said at his press conference on Thursday. "I just view it as another one of my weapons that I can use to get people out."

UMPIRE REPORT: Gerry Davis

When it comes to home and away splits, Davis was pretty even, with the home team having a slight edge in games he officiated, going 16-14. Davis is the thrid straight Under umpire to call balls and strikes in this series, with the Under going 18-10 in his games this season. Davis has seen an average of 7.8 runs per game anad has a strike rate of 63.63 percent.

TRENDS:

* Dodgers are 21-5 in their last 26 games following an off day.
* Astros are 6-0 in their last six playoff home games.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Dodgers last eight road games.
* Under is 8-1 in Astros last nine home games vs. a right-handed starter.

CONSENSUS: Bettors like the Astros at home in Game 3, with 56 percent of wagers on Houston. When it comes to the total, bettors are on the Over after the offensive outburst in Game 2 with 58 percent of wagers on it.