Cubs vs Astros Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s MLB Game

The Houston Astros may not be drawing as many eyeballs as the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers — or perhaps even the Detroit Tigers — but it’s becoming hard to ignore their surging form.

Houston is now 8-2 in its last 10 outings while building a comfortable lead at the top of the AL West. It’s more than a month since the Astros last lost a series, and they shut down the potent Philadelphia Phillies earlier this week — giving up just one run in a three-game sweep.

I’m buying into the overwhelming signs Houston is a legit contender in the American League this year and picking the host to extend its win streak tonight against the Chicago Cubs.

The Astros’ 31-13 record at home is another reason to jump on this pick, and they’ve covered the run line in 22 of their last 38 outings at Daikin Park.

While I’m a little concerned about whether Lance McCullers Jr. will have his best stuff as he returns from the 15-Day IL, it’s not as if Cubs starter Colin Rea has found a rhythm lately.

Rea leaked seven runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings of work against the Seattle Mariners last weekend, and he’s allowed 25 runs across his past six contests. With a 5.57 ERA so far in June, the Chicago righty has a tough task ahead of him here.

The Cubs are 3-6 in their last nine outings to open the door for the chasing NL Central pack, and they’ve taken the L in six of their last seven games in Houston. I see the visitors running into more trouble in tonight’s matchup.

These teams cashed the Over last night thanks to a late Chicago rally, and I’m counting on more of the same here. No one would mistake this for a battle of pitching aces, so the runs should flow, and the Over is 41-33 for the Cubs this year.

Both ball clubs rank in the Top 10 for batting average, while the Cubs trail only the Dodgers in total runs. Look for these offenses to get the upper hand tonight and nail the Over on a line of 8.5.

Jake Meyers is the poster child for the Astros’ effective, somewhat understated first half of the season. Meyers has only clubbed three dingers, yet he’s posted a .307 batting average — 10th best in the majors. 

His June form has gone up another level, with a .337 average and at least one hit in 19 of his 23 games. That’s the type of steady production that keeps innings alive and fuels a spurt of runs.