Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros odds and lines, with expert MLB picks, predictions and best bets.

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.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

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

Provided by 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.

  • Moneyline (ML): Cubs +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Dodgers -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-135) | Dodgers -1.5 (+110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!

Cubs at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 4, Astros 3

Moneyline

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.

Run line/Against the spread

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.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Over/Under

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.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]