Game Time: 8:10 pm ET, Friday, June 27, 2025
Venue: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
Where to Watch: MLBN Alt
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Cubs -110, Astros -110; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Cubs -110, Astros -110; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Cubs -110, Astros -110; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Season Record
Chicago Cubs: 47-33 (1st place, NL Central)
Houston Astros: 47-33 (1st place, AL West)
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Recent Form
Chicago Cubs: 5-5 last 10
Houston Astros: 7-3 last 10
Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros Preview and Analysis
The Cubs lost their 3-game series against the Seattle Mariners 2-1. They enter this game with a 47-33 record overall and have a road record of 22-18. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Astros on Friday with the series finale of their series against the St Louis Cardinals still to be played on Thursday. The Cubs lost the series opener of that series on Monday, lost the 2nd game on Tuesday, and won the 3rd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .770 OPS. Shota Imanaga is their starting pitcher on Thursday while rookie pitcher Cade Horton is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 3-1 with a 3.73 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 ER, 0 HR, and 2 BB with 2 SO on 7 hits through 4.2 IP against the Seattle Mariners.
The Astros won their 3-game series against the Los Angeles Angels 2-1. They enter this game with a 47-33 record overall and have a home record of 29-13. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Cubs on Friday with the 3rd game of their series against the Philadelphia Phillies still to be played on Thursday. The Astros won the 1st game of that series on Tuesday and the 2nd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 13th in the MLB with a .722 OPS. Hunter Brown is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Brandon Walter is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 0-1 with a 3.80 ERA this season. His team lost 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 7 earned runs, 2 homers, and 1 walk with 6 strikeouts on 9 hits through 6 innings pitched against the Los Angeles Angels.
Cubs vs Astros Prediction
The current betting odds have the Astros listed as a pick 'em in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Astros have looked really good in their games this season with their 47-33 record overall which has them right at the top of the AL West. They have also looked great in their own ballpark this year with their 29-13 home record. Meanwhile, the Cubs have looked really good in their games this season with their 47-33 record overall which has them right at the top of the NL Central. They have also been a good road team with their 22-18 road record this season. The Cubs haven't been that hot lately though, going 5-5 in their last 10 games, while the Astros have been rolling lately as they are 7-3 in their last 10 games. Both teams are going with rookies as their starters, but the Astros also have the much better bullpen to back them up in this game. Walter is on the mound for the Astros here and he has looked good this season. He did give up 7 earned runs in his last start, but he also pitched 6 innings in that start and is still 0-1 with a 3.80 ERA. His team has lost 3 of their last 4 games with him starting, but he is going to be looking to bounce back with a better performance now that the Astros are starting to roll. The Cubs are going with Horton in this one and he has been good. He is 3-1 with a 3.73 ERA, but his team has also lost 2 of their last 3 games with him starting. He gave up 3 earned runs in his last start too and the Cubs don't have the best bullpen to help him out either. The Astros have looked really good lately and they should have enough to edge the Cubs out at home. The best way to place a bet here is on the Astros to win this game.
Cubs Astros Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, June 27, 2025 (8:10 pm ET start time) is Astros 5 Cubs 4.
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MLB Betting Trends
Chicago Cubs: 213-190 (+11.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 48-34 (+8.2 units) on the moneyline on the road with a money line of -100 to -150. 62-45 (+16.4 units) on the moneyline in an inter-league game. 37-24 OVER vs. AL teams scoring 4.4 or less runs/game on the season.
Houston Astros: 19-22 (-8.8 units) on the moneyline against NL Central opponents. 115-96 (-26.9 units) on the moneyline in home games. 92-96 (-27.6 units) on the moneyline when the money line is -100 to -150. 71-45 OVER vs. good power teams - averaging 1.25 or more HR's/game.
Key Injuries
Chicago Cubs: M. Amaya (C) Ten Day IL - Oblique. E. Morgan (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. Assad (RP) Sixty Day IL - Oblique. J. Steele (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Houston Astros: S. Dubin (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Forearm. P. Leon (RF) Sixty Day IL - Knee. B. Rodgers (2B) Ten Day IL - Oblique. L. McCullers Jr. (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Foot. J. Melton (CF) Ten Day IL - Ankle. S. Arrighetti (SP) Sixty Day IL - Thumb. Z. Dezenzo (RF) Ten Day IL - Hand. R. Blanco (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. C. McCormick (LF) Ten Day IL - Oblique. H. Wesneski (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. Y. Alvarez (LF) Ten Day IL - Hand. L. Garcia (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. C. Javier (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. France (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“Any time you’re in a little losing streak, just taking the lead early I think gets everybody excited, for sure. We played good offense today. We did a really nice job. Their pitcher left some balls in the middle and we did a good job with that and got an early lead. And it was a comfortable win.” - Craig Counsell after his team’s win against the Cardinals in their game on Wednesday.
“In today’s game, with the three-batter rule, you have to get righties and lefties out, and those guys have been really good for us the whole entire year. Bryan King pitching out of that jam in the eighth, punching out [Alec] Bohm and [retiring] Castellanos to finish the inning, that was huge. I rely on those guys. They’ve been really good, and we’re going to trust them, and I’m going to continue to give them the ball.” - Joe Espada after his team’s win against the Phillies in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Chicago Cubs
Ian Happ (S) LF
Kyle Tucker (L) DH
Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Michael Busch (L) 1B
Carson Kelly (R) C
Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
Matt Shaw (R) 3B
Houston Astros
Jeremy Peña (R) SS
Isaac Paredes (R) 3B
Jose Altuve (R) DH
Jake Meyers (R) CF
Cam Smith (R) RF
Christian Walker (R) 1B
Yainer Diaz (R) C
Cooper Hummel (S) LF
Mauricio Dubón (R) 2B
Statistical Leaders
Chicago Cubs
Batting Average: Nico Hoerner (.294)
Hits: Nico Hoerner (86)
Home Runs: Pete Crow-Armstrong (21)
RBI: Seiya Suzuki (67)
Stolen Bases: Pete Crow-Armstrong (24)
Wins: Jameson Taillon (7)
Saves: Daniel Palencia (7)
ERA: Drew Pomeranz (0.00)
Houston Astros
Batting Average: Jeremy Peña (.325)
Hits: Jeremy Peña (101)
Home Runs: Isaac Paredes (16)
RBI: Isaac Paredes (46)
Stolen Bases: Jeremy Peña (15)
Wins: Hunter Brown (8)
Saves: Josh Hader (21)
ERA: Shawn Dubin (1.33)
Managers:
Chicago Cubs: Craig Counsell (2nd season)
Houston Astros: Joe Espada (2nd season)