Cubs vs Astros Pick: 1st Place Teams With Identical Records Clash (Jun 27)

• Our Cubs vs Astros pick assesses two 1st-place teams with identical 48-33 records clashing in Houston
• The clubs made a massive trade over the winter, with Houston sending star right fielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago
• The Astros are scorching hot, having won 12 of 15
• The Cubs have lost 5 of 8 and must fend off the streaking Brewers and Cardinals

Cubs’ Division Lead Has Been Cut In Half Over a 10-Day Period

The Cubs were having a dream season, helped in part by the Cardinals and Brewers’ early-season struggles. However, Chicago has been struggling, and both Milwaukee and St. Louis have gotten hot, making it a race. The Reds are also creeping up.

For the first game of their series in Houston, the Cubs send Cade Horton to the hill. Horton has been up and down in his rookie season. In his last start against the Mariners, he gave up 7 hits and 3 earned runs in 4.2 innings. In his previous start against the Pirates, he tossed 5.2 innings, gave up 3 hits, and no runs.

That’s how his season has gone. Overall, his ERA is 3.73, and he’s pitched respectably. He has never faced the Astros.

In seven seasons with the Astros, Kyle Tucker won a World Series, a Gold Glove, was a 3X All-Star, won a Silver Slugger, and established himself as one of MLB‘s best all-around players. With his free agency pending, the Astros decided to trade him after last season. The Cubs sent Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith, and Hayden Wesneski to Houston to get Tucker.

Tucker picked up where he left off and has a .922 OPS, 16 home runs, and 19 stolen bases in 20 tries.

Streaking ‘Stros Are Slowly Pulling Away From Their AL West Competition

The Astros got off to a mediocre start, but they are incrementally putting distance between themselves and the rest of the AL West. They just completed a 3-game sweep of the Phillies.

For Houston, lefty Brandon Walter takes the mound. The rookie lefty was pitching well as a starter until his last outing against the Angels. He gave up 7 earned runs and 9 hits in 6 innings. Before that, he had thrown 17.2 innings over three starts, giving up 15 hits and 3 earned runs.

For the Cubs against Walter, Ian Happ is 2 for 2 with 2 singles. Nico Hoerner is 0 for 1. Seiya Suzuki is also 0 for 1.

Smith, acquired in the Tucker trade, has been impressive as a rookie with a .745 OPS. He’s only 22 and is still developing, but he’s showing signs of being a similar all-around player to Tucker.

If Houston wants to make the playoffs and go far in the postseason, they’ll need to upgrade their offense at the trade deadline, particularly with Jose Altuve declining from his MVP heights and Christian Walker struggling with a .642 OPS.

Cubs vs Astros Pick: Chicago Will Outscore Houston

The Astros have been playing well, and the Cubs have been going through a rough patch. However, Houston starter Walter got knocked around in his last start, and Tucker will want to put on a show against his former club. Chicago will outscore Houston in the opener of their interleague series.