Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros odds and predictions
The Chicago Cubs (19-21) open a 3-game interleague series with the Houston Astros (21-19) Monday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Astros won 2-1 when these teams last met in 2019.
The Cubs dropped 2 of 3 games over the weekend in another interleague road series against the Minnesota Twins, including a 16-3 loss in the finale Sunday. Chicago has dropped 5 of the past 7 games and 8 of its last 12 outings dating back to May 2. The Over has cashed in 5 consecutive games for Chicago. The Cubs are 8-4 in 12 interleague games so far this season.
The Astros took 2 of 3 games over the weekend against the ‘other’ Chicago team, including a 4-3 victory over the White Sox Sunday. Houston has won 3 of 4 games since a 3-game losing skid from May 6-8. Houston is 7-5 in 12 interleague games to date.
Cubs at Astros projected starters
RHP Jameson Taillon vs. LHP Framber Valdez
Taillon (0-2, 6.41 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.48 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 11.4 K/9 in 19 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 2 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in a 6-4 home loss vs. the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday
- Road splits this season: 0-0, 3.38 ERA (8 IP, 3 ER), .172 OBA in 2 starts
Valdez (3-4, 2.38 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.04 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9, 9.7 K/9 in 53 IP innings.
- Last start: Win, 8 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 12 K in a 3-1 road win vs. the Angels last Tuesday
- Home splits this season: 0-4, 2.32 ERA (31 IP, 8 ER), .263 OBA in 5 starts
Cubs at Astros odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:28 a.m. ET.
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Cubs at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 4, Astros 3
The CUBS (+155) are a solid value as moderate underdogs in this interleague series opener.
Valdez heads into this one winless in 5 home starts this season despite some impressive overall numbers. The biggest problem has been run support, as the Astros have plated just 9 total runs in his 5 starts this season.
Chicago is 16-5 in its last 21 series openers and is 23-8 in its last 31 interleague games against left-handed starting pitchers. The Cubs are also 13-4 in the past 17 overall vs. LHP while the Astros are just 1-4 in the past 5 at home vs. RHP.
The CUBS +1.5 (-135) are still not priced out of line if you’d like some insurance and can’t bring yourself to play Chicago straight up.
You wouldn’t be wrong to be nervous, as Chicago was blasted by a combined 27-4 in the final 2 games of its series in Minnesota. Still, Chicago is 5-2 on the run line in the past 7 tries as an underdog.
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UNDER 7.5 (-105) is the lean as Chicago has cashed the Under in 5 of its last 7 road games and in 4 of its last 5 vs. LHP. The Under is also 4-0 in the past 4 road games against southpaws.
The Under has cashed in 5 straight games for the Astros while going 6-1-1 in the past 8 games at home. As mentioned above, the Astros have also amassed just 9 runs of offense in Valdez’s 5 starts at home this season.
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