Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros Free Pick

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The Chicago Cubs are ready to take on the Houston Astros in a Tuesday night game. The game gets going at 8:10 p.m. ET and this interleague matchup will be shown on WLS and ATSW.

Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros Odds

Chicago (receiving +120) is entering this one as the underdog to Houston (-130) and Vegas has the Over/Under for this night game at 9 runs (-120 for the over and +100 for the under). The game’s most recent runline odds sit at -175 for picking the Cubs +1.5 runs and +155 for the Astros -1.5.

The Astros are 36-19 straight up (SU) and 30-24 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 3.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 4.7 units ATS. The Cubs are 30-22 SU and have gone 24-27 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 3.5 units for moneyline gamblers, but have lost 3.0 units ATS.

Houston games have an over/under record of 22-31-1 so far in 2019. Chicago has been a decent over bet with a total record of 29-21-1.

Jon Lester will get the nod for the visiting Cubs. The left-handed Lester (3-3, 2.68 ERA) has racked up 47 strikeouts in 47 innings so far. He has yet to face the Astros this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.

The Astros are putting the ball in the right hand of Corbin Martin (1-1, 4.97 ERA, 1.58 WHIP), who’s got 12 strikeouts and six walks. Martin did not accrue any MLB pitching stats last season.

Houston’s pitchers have given up 3.5 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 3.70 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 2.84, a WHIP of 1.07 and a K/9 of 9.8.

Houston’s offense has put up 5.2 runs per contest, including 3.7 per game over its last 10 games and 3.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .220/.299/.289 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.

Outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer have led the Astros’ batters this year. Brantley is hitting .320/.371/.534 with 10 home runs, 34 RBIs and 30 runs scored, while Springer’s line is .308/.389/.643 with 17 homers, 43 RBIs and 41 runs scored.

In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 3.83 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8.62 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.92, along with a WHIP of 1.33 and a K-per-9 of 9.13.

Cubs hitters have slashed .258/.350/.458 on their way to 5.4 runs scored per game this year, including 5.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).

Chicago’s hitters have been paced by shortstop Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who collectively have launched 28 home runs. Baez is hitting .310/.351/.586 with 13 home runs, 34 RBIs and 37 runs scored, while Rizzo (.291/.406/.604) is up to 15 homers, 42 RBIs and 36 runs scored.

The Cubs have gained 1.8 units and are 19-22 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 23 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 3.6 units and are 10-7 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in five of those games, compared to 12 that’ve cashed the under.

Cubs at Astros MLB Tip

Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER

Betting Notes

  • The over has cashed in six of Chicago’s last seven games.
  • The Cubs have a total OPS of .808 this season and an OPS of .816 against right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS stands at .841 overall and .823 versus righties.
  • The Cubs have lost four of their last five games SU while the Astros have won three of their last four.
  • Houston has posted 19.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 17.0 over its last five.
  • The Cubs have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games, including 13 over their last five.