The Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series, their first title in 108 years. The Houston Astros won the 2017 World Series, their first title ever. Could the two meet in the 2019 Fall Classic? Very possible, but first things first: They do in interleague play Monday in Houston, which is favored on the MLB odds.
Cubs vs Astros MLB Odds, Game Preview & Prediction
Here is today’s #Cubs lineup in Houston.
Game preview: https://t.co/1DDXDjiSpK pic.twitter.com/aJVQzAmnY4 — Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 27, 2019
- When: Monday, 2:10 PM ET
- Where: Minute Maid Park
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Cole Hamels/Gerrit Cole
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: Chicago / Houston
- Opening MLB Lines: Astros -185, Cubs +175 (total 8)
Why Bet on Chicago?
Chicago lost two of three at home over the weekend to Cincinnati, falling 10-2 in Sunday’s finale. The worst part of that was former NL MVP Kris Bryant leaving after an outfield collision with Jason Heyward. Bryant was hit on the side of the head and neck on the play but was cleared to travel with the team to Houston. Seems like he’s not going to play Monday, thought.
He got off to a rough start this season, hitting .221 with a .691 OPS through April 23. Over his past 30 games, though, Bryant has returned to MVP-caliber form, turning in a .327/.449/.718 slash line during that time period. Overall, Bryant is batting .283/.405/.567 with home runs, 15 doubles, 34 RBIs, 42 runs scored and nearly as many walks (33) as strikeouts (37).
Anthony Rizzo (2-for-3, HBP) extended his hitting streak to eight games Sunday, batting .469 (15-for-32) with three doubles, four homers, 11 RBI, three walks and two HBP during that stretch. Javier Baez (3-for-4, HR, R, RBI) leads the team with 22 multi-hit games and five three-hit games. He has two homers in his last five games. Willson Contreras (2-for-4, HR, R, RBI) hit his 12th home run, second-most among all catchers, trailing only the Yankees’ Gary Sanchez (15).
The Cubs will add the designated hitter for this interleague matchup, and that surely will be Kyle Schwarber.
It’s lefty Cole Hamels (4-0, 3.38) on the mound. Hamels gave up three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out six through four innings in a no-decision against the Phillies on Wednesday. Hamels surrendered the three runs before the end of the third inning, but he wasn’t efficient enough to make it past four innings. Hamels took 99 pitches to get 12 outs, but he also registered 18 swinging strikes. Over the last month, he has a 2-0 record with a 3.21 ERA and 45:19 K:BB.
Hamels has gone 8-6 with a 4.08 ERA (58 ER/128.0 IP) in 20 career starts against the Astros, including 12 quality starts. He is 5-2 with a 3.65 ERA (23 ER/56.2 IP) in nine career starts at Minute Maid Park.
Why Bet on Houston?
The Astros took two of three vs. Boston over the weekend vs. Boston in an ALCS rematch but dropped the finale 4-1. Second baseman Aledmys Diaz exited Sunday’s game with a left hamstring injury. Diaz scored on a Carlos Correa singled in the first inning but tweaked his hamstring as he crossed the plate. It’s the same hamstring he had issues with earlier this month. He’s expected to land on the 10-day injured list. He’s starting currently because former AL MVP Jose Altuve is on the injured list. However, he’s expected to be activated Tuesday or Wednesday.
Meanwhile, outfielder George Springer is also out, dealing with a hamstring injury. He has played at an MVP-caliber level so far this year, slashing .308/.389/.643 with 17 homers, 43 RBI and four stolen bases. He leads the American League in homers and RBI. In his 18 games in May, Springer had posted an AL-best 1.212 OPS, while hitting .368 (25×68).Third baseman Alex Bregman owns a share for the MLB lead with 10 home runs this month and is just one homer shy of the franchise record for HR in May, which is 11, set by OF Jimmy Wynn in May of 1969.
Reliever Ryan Pressly had his Major League record streak of 40 consecutive scoreless appearances snapped on Friday on a solo homer by Jackie Bradley Jr. Within the streak, Pressly also set a franchise record scoreless innings streak (39IP), which tied as the second-longest by a reliever in Major League history, matching RHP Brad Ziegler (39IP in 2008) and trailing only RHP Gregg Olson (41IP from 1989-90).
Gerrit Cole (4-5) gave up six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven through five innings, taking the loss to the White Sox on Wednesday. Cole gave up two solo home runs early and ran into trouble in the top of the sixth inning, allowing two runs and two baserunners before being removed without recording an out.
Josh James went on to surrender a grand slam to Charlie Tilson, allowing both of the runs to score. Despite the rough outing, the 13 swinging strikes and limited free passes suggest Cole will bounce back. The right-hander has a 4-5 record with a 4.11 ERA and 100:17 K:BB through 11 starts this season.
Cubs vs Astros MLB Betting Trends
- Cubs are 2-5 in their last 7 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Cubs are 2-5 in their last 7 Monday games.
- Cubs are 2-6 in their last 8 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Astros are 5-1 in Cole’s last 6 interleague starts.
- Astros are 4-1 in Cole’s last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
- Astros are 4-1 in Cole’s last 5 starts.
- Astros are 16-5 in Cole’s last 21 home starts.
Expert Prediction for Cubs vs Astros
Astros 6, Cubs 4
