Chicago Cubs (30-21) at Houston (35-19)
When: Monday, May 27th, 2019
Where: Minute Maid Park,
Houston, Texas
Time: 2:10 ET | TV: WGN,
AT&T SportsNet-Southwest
Opening Odds: Houston -168/8
A pair of division leaders and World Series contenders meet on Memorial Day as the Houston Astros host the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a three-game interleague series. Houston is in the middle of a 10-game homestand that has seen the offense produce more than four runs just once, while going 4-3 after taking two of three from the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox over the weekend. That offense just got weaker at the top of the order as AL home run leader George Springer (hamstring) has been placed on the 10-day injured list. Houston managed just four hits in a 4-1 loss to the Red Sox in Sunday’s series finale, but still lead the American League West by 6.5 games over the Oakland A’s. The Cubs dropped two of three to last place Cincinnati at home over the weekend including a 10-2 setback on Sunday. Chicago may be without slugger Kris Bryant, who left Sunday’s game following a collision in the outfield. Bryant was being evaluated for an injury in the head and neck area, and that the team would have an update on Monday. Anthony Rizzo is riding an eight-game hitting streak and is 15-for-32 during that span. The teams have met twice since Houston moved to the AL, with the last being in September of 2016.
Pitchers: Cubs – Cole Hamels (4-0, 3.38 ERA) | Astros – Gerrit Cole (4-5, 4.11)
Hamels is coming off his shortest outing of the season last time out but didn’t factor into the decision while giving up four runs and a season-high nine hits in four innings against Philadelphia last Wednesday. The Cubs are 8-1 in Hamels’ last nine starts and he owns a 3-0 mark and 3.49 ERA away from home. He faced Houston four times last season as a member of the Texas Rangers and posted a 3.60 ERA while serving up six home runs.
10 CENT MLB LINES & 1% CASH BACK
The Astros were on a four-game winning streak when Cole started, but that ended last week in a 9-4 setback to the Chicago White Sox. Cole was hit for six runs and seven hits – two homers – in five innings of work. Cole has not been great at Minute Maid Park, posting a 4.60 ERA in five home starts. He is 9-3 with a 2.50 ERA lifetime versus the Cubs.
Both teams are playing pretty well since sluggish starts to the season and could be destined for a matchup in late October. Cole has surrendered 11 home runs on the season and eight of them have come at home in 31.1 innings. The Cubs are fifth in the majors with 82 dingers and have scored five or more runs six times over their last 10 games. Hamels is still good enough to keep opposing hitters in check and give his team a chance to win. I can’t pass up on the Cubs when they’re this big of an underdog.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Sunday. He is 69-42 +2112 units on the season after a 19-4 run!
Pick: Cubs +170
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BETTING TRENDS:
Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
Cubs are 9-2 in their last 11 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cubs are 12-4 in their last 16 vs. American League West.
Cubs are 9-3 in their last 12 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 19-7 in their last 26 vs. a team with a winning record.
Cubs are 10-4 in their last 14 road games.
Cubs are 5-2 in their last 7 interleague road games.
Cubs are 28-12 in their last 40 interleague games.
Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Cubs are 21-10 in their last 31 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 25-12 in their last 37 overall.
Cubs are 25-12 in their last 37 games on grass.
Cubs are 37-18 in their last 55 games following a loss.
Cubs are 2-5 in their last 7 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 2-5 in their last 7 Monday games.
Cubs are 2-6 in their last 8 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Cubs are 4-0 in Hamels’ last 4 road starts.
Cubs are 6-0 in Hamels’ last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Cubs are 4-0 in Hamels’ last 4 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cubs are 8-1 in Hamels’ last 9 starts.
Cubs are 8-1 in Hamels’ last 9 starts on grass.
Cubs are 4-1 in Hamels’ last 5 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Astros are 8-1 in their last 9 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Astros are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Astros are 5-1 in their last 6 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a loss.
Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Astros are 7-2 in their last 9 Monday games.
Astros are 7-2 in their last 9 interleague home games.
Astros are 6-2 in their last 8 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Astros are 40-16 in their last 56 during game 1 of a series.
Astros are 64-28 in their last 92 games on grass.
Astros are 36-16 in their last 52 home games.
Astros are 84-39 in their last 123 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Astros are 59-28 in their last 87 interleague games.
Astros are 67-32 in their last 99 overall.
Astros are 4-0 in Cole’s last 4 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Astros are 6-1 in Cole’s last 7 starts during game 1 of a series.
Astros are 5-1 in Cole’s last 6 interleague starts.
Astros are 4-1 in Cole’s last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Astros are 4-1 in Cole’s last 5 starts.
Astros are 16-5 in Cole’s last 21 home starts.
Astros are 31-12 in Cole’s last 43 starts on grass.
Over is 5-0 in Cubs last 5 on grass.
Over is 4-0 in Cubs last 4 Monday games.
Over is 4-0 in Cubs last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 5-0 in Cubs last 5 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 5-0 in Cubs last 5 overall.
Over is 6-0 in Cubs last 6 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 5-0 in Cubs last 5 interleague road games.
Over is 7-1 in Cubs last 8 vs. American League West.
Under is 6-1 in Cubs last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 6-1 in Cubs last 7 interleague games.
Over is 6-1 in Cubs last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 5-1 in Cubs last 6 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 games following a loss.
Over is 7-2 in Cubs last 9 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 7-2 in Cubs last 9 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 7-3 in Cubs last 10 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 18-8 in Cubs last 26 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 24-11 in Cubs last 35 road games.
Over is 4-0 in Hamels’ last 4 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Hamels’ last 7 road starts.
Over is 5-1 in Hamels’ last 6 starts on grass.
Over is 5-1 in Hamels’ last 6 starts overall.
Over is 5-1 in Hamels’ last 6 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Hamels’ last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Over is 4-1 in Hamels’ last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 7-0-1 in Astros last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-0 in Astros last 4 home games.
Under is 3-0-1 in Astros last 4 games following a loss.
Under is 5-0 in Astros last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 4-0 in Astros last 4 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 4-0-1 in Astros last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 10-1 in Astros last 11 on grass.
Under is 10-1 in Astros last 11 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Astros last 5 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-2 in Astros last 6 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Astros last 5 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 11-4-1 in Astros last 16 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 22-8-1 in Astros last 31 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 18-7-2 in Astros last 27 interleague games.
Under is 37-15-2 in Astros last 54 Monday games.
Under is 46-22-3 in Astros last 71 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 5-0 in Cole’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Cole’s last 5 starts on grass.
Over is 4-1 in Cole’s last 5 starts overall.
Over is 4-1 in Cole’s last 5 home starts.
Over is 7-3 in Cole’s last 10 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
Cubs are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Under is 41-18-2 in the last 61 meetings in Houston.
