Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

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

The Chicago Cubs (19-23) and Houston Astros (23-19) meet Wednesday for the finale of a 3-game series. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is set 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: Astros lead 2-0

Chicago lost 7-3 Tuesday as +154 road underdogs. The was tied at 1 going into the 4th inning when the Astros broke the game open with 4 runs. The win Houston’s 3rd straight and they now are 10-11 at home this season.

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Cubs at Astros projected starters

LHP Drew Smyly vs. RHP J.P. France

Smyly (4-1, 3.05 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 0.97 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 44 1/3 innings.

  • Last outing: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K, in a 6-2 road victory over the Minnesota Twins Friday
  • Career vs. Houston: 1-4 in 8 appearances (5 starts), 5.86 ERA, 27 2/3 IP, 18 ER, 31 H, 6 HR, 15 BB, 29 K

France (1-0, 0.77 ERA) makes the 3rd start of his career. The 28-year-old rookie has a 0.69 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 in 11 2/3 innings.

  • Last outing: Win, 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K, in a 5-1 road victory vs. Chicago White Sox Friday

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 6:44 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Cubs +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Astro -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-145) | Astros -1.5 (+120)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

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Cubs at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 5, Cubs 4

Moneyline

BET ASTROS (-160).

The line here is a little rich but with the Astros being 6-1 in their last 7 games overall and on grass, and being both 4-1 in the last 5 meetings vs. the Cubs overall and in the last 5 meetings in Houston, they are the safer bet.

Run line/Against the spread

LEAN CUBS +1.5 (-145).

Four of the last 10 meetings have finished with a 1-run margin and coupled  with the fact the Astros have struggled to secure wins at home this season, the Cubs are the lean to cover the run line.

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Over/Under

BET OVER 8.5 (-120).

For Chicago the Over is 7-0 in their last 7 overall, 6-0 in their last 6 inter-league games, and 5-0 in their last 5 games following a loss. The Over is also 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Houston and 6 meetings overall.

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Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

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

The Chicago Cubs (19-22) play the 2nd game of a 3-game series against the Houston Astros (22-19) on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET (TBS). 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: Astros lead 1-0

The Cubs lost 6-4 to the Astros Monday despite putting up 4 runs on LHP Framber Valdez. Chicago enters on a 3-game losing skid and has gone 4-6 in its last 10 contests.

The Astros got multi-RBI performances from 3B Alex Bregman and 1B Jose Abreu in Monday’s victory. Houston has won 5 of its last 6 games and is only 3 games behind the Texas Rangers for 1st place in the AL West.

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Cubs at Astros projected starters

LHP Justin Steele vs. RHP Cristian Javier

Steele (6-0, 1.82 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.03 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 through 49 1/3 IP.

  • Has recorded a quality start in 7 of his first 8 starts
  • Has allowed 6-plus hits in 3 straight starts and he surrendered 3 ER in his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday

Javier (3-1, 3.47 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.01 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 through 46 2/3 IP.

  • Has given up at least 1 home run in 5 of his last 6 starts
  • Has struck out 6-plus batters in 4 straight turns

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 9 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Cubs +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Astros -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-145) | Astros -1.5 (+120)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Cubs at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 5, Cubs 3

Moneyline

While I believe the Astros (-165) are going to come away with the win on Tuesday, taking them at the current odds isn’t advised. Unless you can get them at -160 or better, then I’ll PASS on the moneyline in this contest.

Run line/Against the spread

The ASTROS -1.5 (+120) are a solid value despite Steele having a fantastic start to the season for the Cubs. Javier has looked better in recent starts and Chicago has struggled recently to keep games close.

The Cubs have been outscored 47-17 in their last 6 losses.

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Over/Under

LEAN OVER 7.5 (-115).

Even with 2 pitchers who have been formidable to begin the season, I’ll side with the Over in this game. The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between these sides in Houston and the last 5 meetings overall.

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

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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:
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