Inside The Dodgers

Dodgers vs Astros: Freddie Freeman Scratched, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction, and More

The All-Star first baseman returned home to be with his family in California.
J.P. Hoornstra|
Jul 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) beats the throw to San Francisco Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) for a single in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) beats the throw to San Francisco Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) for a single in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers All-Star Freddie Freeman was scratched from the starting lineup Friday afternoon, and manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Houston the first baseman headed back to Southern California to be with his family. Cavan Biggio is starting at first base in tonight's game against the Houston Astros instead.

Freeman’s wife, Chelsea, posted an Instagram story Wednesday that their son, Maximus, was dealing with a health issue that kept them in the emergency room until 3:30 a.m. Freeman played against the San Francisco Giants and traveled with the team to Houston, but now is headed home.

Here's what else you need to know about the opener of the three-game series:

How to Watch

• Time: 5 p.m. PT

• Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston

• TV: Apple TV+ (subscriber only)

• Radio: 570-AM

Odds

• Moneyline: Dodgers +114/Astros -135

• Over/under: 8

• All odds via DraftKings

Prediction

The Dodgers are 6-1 since the All-Star break, giving them plenty of momentum headed into the 2017 World Series revenge game. Gavin Stone takes the hill with a 9-3 record and a 3.19 ERA, while Framber Valdez's past struggles against the Dodgers (0-1 with a 7.71 ERA) could tilt the advantage towards L.A. A solid night from the rookie Stone would put the Dodgers in the driver's seat.

More

• The Dodgers own the second-best record in the NL, behind the Philadelphia Phillies (64-38),
four games back of the No. 1 seed in the National League

• Ahmed and Ohtani went back-to-back in the eighth inning Thursday, the eighth occurrence of back-to-back homers by the Dodgers this season. That's tied for 13th all-time in Dodgers history.

• Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani is hitting .319 (38-for-119) with 26 runs scored, 112 homers, two triples, eight doubles and 28 RBI in the leadoff spot since Mookie Betts was injured on June 16.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Published | Modified
J.P. Hoornstra
J.P. HOORNSTRA

J.P. Hoornstra is an On SI Contributor. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers in California, J.P. covered MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Los Angeles Angels (occasionally of Anaheim) from 2012-23 for the Southern California News Group. His first book, The 50 Greatest Dodgers Games of All-Time, published in 2015. In 2016, he won an Associated Press Sports Editors award for breaking news coverage. He once recorded a keyboard solo on the same album as two of the original Doors.

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