The Houston Astros host the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 2025. First pitch from Daikin Park is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. EDT; the game will be broadcast on FOX.
Find my MLB betting preview and Cubs vs Astros prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports and more.
My Cubs vs Astros Prediction
- Cubs vs Astros picks: Cubs Moneyline +105| Play to +100
My Cubs vs Astros best bet is the Cubs moneyline. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Cubs vs Astros Odds
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +160 | 8.5 -120o / -102u | +100 |
| Astros Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -194 | 8.5 -120o / -102u | -118 |
Cubs vs Astros Projected Starting Pitchers
| Colin Rea (CHC) | Stat | Lance McCullers (HOU) |
|---|---|---|
| 4-3 | W-L | 1-2 |
| 0.2 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.3 |
| 4.42/5.23 | ERA /xERA | 4.91/4.29 |
| 4.77/4.35 | FIP / xFIP | 4.24/3.92 |
| 1.39 | WHIP | 1.43 |
| 11.2 | K-BB% | 16.8 |
| 37.6 | GB% | 44.2 |
| 95 | Stuff+ | 103 |
| 100 | Location+ | 92 |
Doug Ziefel’s Cubs vs Astros Preview
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview: Top Offense Against RHP
The Chicago Cubs are poised to bounce back after yesterday's series-opening loss. They were unable to get the big hit to tighten up the scoreboard, going 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.
However, we should see their bats have much more success tonight against Lance McCullers. McCullers has flashed tremendous strikeout upside in his seven starts this season, but his command has been shaky, and it's led to mistakes both in and out of the strike zone.
He has allowed a great deal of hard contact as he sits in the first percentile in hard-hit rate allowed and the 20th percentile in barrel rate allowed. Making matters worse, his walk rate is in the ninth percentile.
All of that has created a sky-high WHIP of 1.43, and the Cubs are the lineup to capitalize on all of McCuller's flaws. Chicago has been one of the top teams against righties, ranking 118th in wRC+ while holding the sixth-lowest strikeout rate.
Behind McCullers, it will be interesting to see how the Astros' bullpen will be deployed. They mixed and matched with four arms yesterday, leaving only a couple fresh if McCullers does indeed struggle.
Houston Astros Betting Preview: Tough Matchup Today
The Astros got the bats going in yesterday's win and showed how quickly runs can be put up when there's traffic on the basepaths. However, tonight it won't be quite as easy as Colin Rea has shown much better command than rookie Cade Horton.
It will be up to this Astros lineup to prove itself against right-handed pitching. Houston has gaudy numbers against lefties, leading the majors in wRC+ against them, but with righties, it's a much different story.
They are average against righties with a 102 wRC+ and hold the fourth-highest groundball rate. That tendency limits their offensive upside in this matchup, as the hitting conditions at Dalkin Park will be favorable if the roof is open.
After Rea departs, things could get tougher for the Astros. Yesterday, Chris Flexen blanked them for the final four innings of the game, which provided a big relief for the rest of the Cubs' bullpen.
Cubs vs Astros Prediction, Betting Analysis
This is a matchup where the Astros are getting a bit too much respect at home. Yes, McCullers is the better starting arm, but he has more than his fair share of flaws that this talented Cubs lineup should capitalize on.
On the flip side, Rea is in a better spot to succeed than the line tells you, as he could work efficiently and keep the ball on the ground in a quality outing before handing the ball to the backend of the bullpen.
Back the Cubs to pull off the upset tonight and even the series.
Pick: Cubs moneyline (+100, FanDuel)
Moneyline
Take the Cubs on the moneyline.
Run Line (Spread)
I see no value in the run line.
Over/Under
The over may be in play if the roof is open.
