Jon Lester gets the ball for the Cubs tonight in Houston and Chicago will look to continue a run that’s seen the team win eight of his last nine starts. The Cubs are coming off two straight losses, but three straight has been rare as they haven’t lost three in a row since early July. Now 8.5 games back of the Rangers in the AL West, the Astros are likely out of that race but are just 2.5 games back of a wild-card spot.
- The Cubs are 2-6 in their last 8 games on the road against the Astros.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of the Astros' last 7 games.
- The Astros are 9-2 in their last 11 games on Friday.
Joe Musgrove will start for the Astros and the 23-year-old has six starts under his belt this season. It hasn’t been pretty as he’s allowed five earned runs twice and eight in another. Those came on the road, but he’s been drastically different at home, posting a 0.54 ERA in 16.2 innings of work.
Lester has been pure fire for the Cubs in his last seven starts as he’s allowed two or fewer runs in each of those appearances. He had a 1.71 ERA in August and his first start of September was maybe his best of the season as he threw a complete-game three-hitter against the Giants. He’s made 27 starts this season, and the Cubs have only lost seven of those games.
The total for the game opened at 7.5 runs, which is the second-lowest mark on today’s schedule.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Those betting on the visitors in this one found the Chicago Cubs listed as favorites of -137 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. Total bettors saw the number open in the area of 8, check for odds updates at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 4.6-3.8 win for the Cubs on Friday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Houston Astros bring a 74-66 record to the battle against the 89-50 Cubs. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Houston vs Chicago injuries news.
It's a MLB baseball betting matchup between the No. 8-rated Houston Astros and the league No. 7-ranked Chicago Cubs, according to the latest MLB power poll here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Houston Astros No. 12 ranked offense (4.62 runs per game) against a Chicago Cubs defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 1 at 3.42 runs allowed per game. The Houston Astros have been averaging 8.5 hits per game, less than the Chicago Cubs have managed so far this season (8.71 hits on average).
Chicago brings the No. 1-rated defense to this matchup, facing the Astros's No. 10-ranked defense.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Cubs endured a 2-1 loss at the hands of the Brewers on Wednesday, with Mike Montgomery throwing 5 innings of 2-hit ball at Miller Park.
The Astros endured a 10-7 loss at the hands of the Indians on Thursday, with David Paulino throwing 3 innings of 4-hit ball at Progressive Field.
- Chi Cubs is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
- Chi Cubs is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
- Chi Cubs is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
- Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Houston is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games
- Houston is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Chicago at Houston, Saturday, September 10th
