Chicago Cubs vs
Houston AstrosPredictions & Preview

Cubs Look to Extend Dominance Over Astros in Upcoming Series with Horton on the Mound

The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are set to begin a three-game series with Cade Horton pitching for the Cubs and Brandon Walter taking the mound for the Astros. The Cubs have had success against the Astros in the past, going 3-0 last season. Can Horton secure his fourth win of the season for the Cubs on Friday evening? The Astros are currently the betting favorite with the line opening at -110 and moving to Houston -115. Stay tuned for the Cubs vs. Astros prediction.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cubs +104 | Astros -115
• Spread: Cubs +1.5 (-200) | Astros -1.5 (+170)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 53%.

Chicago vs Houston Stats

Chicago Cubs

Cade Horton, the rookie right-hander for the Chicago Cubs, is set to start on Friday evening despite a shaky performance in his last outing. Despite conceding six runs (three earned) against the Mariners, Horton has been solid in his first taste of the big leagues this month with a 3.48 ERA. The Cubs, currently four games above .500 on the road, are facing the Astros for the first time this season. Pete Crow-Armstrong has been a standout player for the Cubs with 21 home runs and 61 RBIs, while Kyle Tucker has been hot at the plate with 16 home runs and a .932 OPS. The team is averaging 5.42 runs per game, ranking them second in the league. Defensively, they have a 3.90 ERA, placing them 16th. Currently, the Cubs are ranked 2 in offense, allowing an average of 4.21 points per game, and hold a record of 48-33 this season.

Houston Astros Analysis

Brandon Walter will be taking the mound to begin the series for the Houston Astros. Despite a rough outing in his previous start against the Angels, he has shown promise in three out of his four starts this season. The Astros are currently on a hot streak, winning four of their last five series and holding a 5.5 game lead over the Mariners in the division. The team's pitching has been a key factor in their recent success, with a 3.42 ERA ranking them fifth in the league. Offensively, Jeremy Pena is having a standout season with a .325 average and 40 RBIs. The Astros rank 19th in offense, scoring an average of 4.20 runs per game, but their strong pitching puts them at the top of the league with a power ranking of 2. The Astros have been dominant against the Cubs in their recent matchups, winning all three games.

Chicago Cubs in Prime Position for Victory Against Struggling Houston Astros

The Chicago Cubs are currently leading their division by only three games ahead of the Brewers and are in need of more wins to maintain their position. Despite this pressure, the Cubs have shown confidence with back-to-back victories against the Cardinals prior to this series. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros are also winning games but are struggling to score enough runs, with only four or fewer runs plated in five of their last six games. Cubs pitcher Cade Horton has consistently performed well, allowing two or fewer runs in four of his last six outings, resulting in six wins in eight starts this season. On the other hand, Astros pitcher Brandon Walter has a less impressive track record, as evidenced by his recent outing where he conceded seven runs to the Angels. With a 5.01 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in his career, Walter may struggle against the Cubs. Based on these factors, the Cubs appear to be the favorable choice in this matchup.

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