The Chicago Cubs will head south to face the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. This interleague matchup will get underway at 2:10 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to WGN to catch the game.
Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Chicago (+160) as the underdog to Houston (-170). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at +100 for over 8.5 runs and -120 for under 8.5. The game’s current runline odds sit at -135 for picking the Cubs +1.5 runs and +115 for the Astros -1.5.
The Astros are 35-19 straight up (SU) and 30-23 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 5.3 units for moneyline bettors and 5.7 units ATS. The Cubs are 30-21 SU and have gone 24-26 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 5.2 units for moneyline gamblers, but have lost 1.9 units ATS.
Astros games have an over/under record of 22-30-1 so far in 2019. Chicago has been a decent over bet with a total record of 28-21-1.
Cole Hamels will get the nod for the visiting Cubs. The left-handed Hamels is 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA and 60 strikeouts. He has yet to face Houston this year, but he made four starts against the team in 2018, posting a 1-2 record with a 3.60 ERA and 24 strikeouts.
The Astros are sending righty Gerrit Cole (4-5, 4.11 ERA) to the mound. Cole has 100 strikeouts and 17 walks to his name, along with a 1.08 WHIP. Cole did not re a start against the Cubs in 2018.
Houston’s pitching staff has allowed 3.5 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.71, a WHIP of 1.04 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.0. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.79, a WHIP of 1.06 and a K/9 of 9.7.
The Houston offense has produced 5.2 runs per contest, including 3.4 per game over its last 10 games and 2.6 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .234/.313/.304 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Astros’ offense has been led by outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer. Brantley is slashing .320/.368/.537 with 10 home runs, 34 RBIs and 29 runs scored, while Springer’s line sits at .308/.389/.643 with 17 homers, 43 RBIs and 41 runs.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.70 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.74 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.01, along with a K-per-9 of 9.03.
Cubs hitters have slashed .258/.352/.458 on their way to 5.4 runs scored per game this year, including 5.9 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant continue to lead Chicago’s hitters. Baez is slashing .317/.359/.600 with 13 home runs, 34 RBIs and 37 runs scored. Bryant (.283/.405/.567) is up to 12 homers, 34 RBIs and 42 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 3.4 units and are 19-21 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 22 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 5.3 units and are 10-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in five of those games, compared to 11 that went under the total.
Cubs vs. 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 .809 this season and an OPS of .818 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .841 overall and .827 versus righties.
- Chicago has posted 25.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 24.4 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 21 home runs in their last 10 games, including 13 over their last five.
