The Houston Astros (7-17) and Chicago Cubs (14-9) play the 2nd Game of a 3-Game series at Wrigley Field Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cubs lead 1-0
The Cubs, who were -102 underdogs, beat the Astros 7-2 in the series opener Tuesday as the Under (10) hit. Chicago jumped on Astros RHP J.P. France with 5 runs in the 1st inning. France (5 IP) didn’t allow another run after the 1st frame, but Houston was unable to pull off the comeback.
Each team had 6 hits. Cubs batters drew 7 walks compared to just 1 for the Astros.
Astros at Cubs projected starters
RHP Spencer Arrighetti vs. RHP Jameson Taillon
Arrighetti (0-2, 11.57 ERA) makes his 3rd start of the season. He has a 2.28 WHIP, 6.4 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 in 7 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 6-1 loss to Atlanta Braves April 15
- 1.09 OPS in 1 road start this season vs. 0.68 in 1 start at home
Taillon (1-0, 1.80) makes his 2nd start this season. He was 8-10 with a 4.84 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 8.2 K/9 in 154 1/3 innings last season.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 8-3 victory over Miami Marlins Friday
- All 3 hits allowed Friday were after batter swung at 1st pitch
- Career vs. Astros: 0-1, 5.18 ERA (24 1/3 IP, 14 ER) in 4 starts
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Astros at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:09 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Cubs -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+165) | Cubs +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Astros at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 4, Astros 3
Moneyline
The Cubs have one of the best home records this season (8-3). Houston, on the other hand, is only better than the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies on the road (3-8).
And so far this season, the Astros have only won the 2nd game of a series once in 7 tries.
BET CUBS (-115).
Run line/Against the spread
The Cubs cover 68% on the run line on no rest, while the Astros are near the bottom with a 35% cover rate.
But at -200, it is best to stick with the moneyline.
PASS.
Over/Under
Both these teams have trended towards the Under recently. In the last 10 games, the Astros have gone 6-3-1 to the Under, while the Cubs are 7-3.
On its current road trip, Houston is 3-0-1 to the Under, while Chicago on its homestand is 3-2.
LEAN UNDER 7.5 (-110).
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