Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros Picks and Prediction for Monday May 4 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 05/04/2026, 12:15 AM ET
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The Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros meet at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 8:10 PM ET, with coverage on MLB.TV. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. This interleague matchup features a Dodgers team with a strong overall record facing an Astros club looking to build momentum at home, and readers can also check out free MLB picks.

Dodgers vs Astros Starting Pitchers

Los Angeles is expected to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who enters with a 2-2 record, a 2.87 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, 37.2 innings pitched, 29 hits allowed, 32 strikeouts, nine walks, and four home runs allowed. Houston has not listed their projected start yet, which could lean towards a bullpen day for the Astros.

Dodgers Searching for Stability After Recent Losses

The Dodgers come into this matchup with a 20-13 overall record and an 8-7 mark on the road. Los Angeles has struggled in its most recent stretch, recently losing to St. Louis by scores of 3-2 and 7-2, and also recently losing to Miami by scores of 3-2 and 2-1. The Dodgers did recently win over Miami 5-4, but that still leaves them with one win and four losses in the last five games provided.

Los Angeles is batting .271 as a team with 171 runs, 301 hits, 45 home runs, a .349 on-base percentage, and a .442 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, the Dodgers have a 3.29 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, 101 walks, 293 strikeouts, and a .214 opponent batting average. Los Angeles also has a 6-4 day record in the provided team stats.

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The Dodgers’ strength is clearly in overall balance. They have the higher batting average, more hits, more home runs, and strong on-base and slugging numbers. On the mound, Los Angeles also has the lower ERA, lower WHIP, and lower opponent batting average, giving them a well-rounded profile despite the recent stretch of losses.

Houston Hoping to Build Consistency at Home

The Astros enter this game with a 13-21 overall record and an 8-8 record at home. Houston has been inconsistent recently, recently winning over Boston 6-3 and Baltimore 11-5, while also recently losing to Boston 3-1 and Baltimore 10-3 and 5-3. That leaves the Astros with two wins and three losses in the last five games provided.

Houston is batting .269 with 175 runs, 315 hits, 43 home runs, a .347 on-base percentage, and a .442 slugging percentage. The Astros’ pitching staff has a 5.91 ERA, a 1.63 WHIP, 183 walks, 304 strikeouts, and a .265 opponent batting average. Houston also has a 7-7 day record in the supplied team stats.

The Astros’ strength is their offense, as Houston has scored more runs and collected more hits than Los Angeles while matching the Dodgers in slugging percentage. The concern is on the pitching side, where Houston carries a significantly higher ERA and WHIP along with more walks allowed, creating more opportunities for opposing offenses.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros Picks and Prediction

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros Pick

  • Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers Moneyline

Los Angeles is the pick because the Dodgers have the stronger overall statistical profile. The Dodgers have the better record, stronger pitching metrics, and lower opponent batting average. While Houston has a slight edge in total runs and hits, the Astros’ pitching numbers are much weaker, with a higher ERA, higher WHIP, and more walks allowed. Combined with Los Angeles having a defined starting pitcher with strong numbers, the Dodgers stand out as the better side based on the provided data.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Houston Astros Total Pick

  • Pick: Take the over if the total is set at 8.5.

I would lean Over 8.5 if that number is available. Both teams have strong offensive numbers, with Los Angeles hitting 45 home runs and Houston scoring 175 runs with 315 hits. Houston’s pitching staff has a 5.91 ERA and 1.63 WHIP, which suggests run-scoring opportunities, while Los Angeles has also been involved in several close games recently. The combination of offensive production and Houston’s pitching profile points toward a higher-scoring outcome.

Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers 6 – Houston Astros 4

This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Sunday.

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