Could this be a preview of the World Series? If the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros have anything to say about the Fall Classic they will certainly consider themselves in the conversation. The Astros are the favorite to win the title while the Cubs overcame a rough start to take control of the NL Central. The teams finish off a three-game set in their only scheduled meeting of the year. We could see them again in October, though.
In his first season with the Astros, Wade Miley has been one of their most consistent starters. He’s won his last four decisions and will be opposed by Kyle Hendricks in a battle of righties. The game will air live on ESPN.
This MLB game between the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros will be held at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, at 8:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
We'll have MLB Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2019 Major League Baseball season.
Odds Analysis
We expected to see the Cubs go into a bit of a funk after enjoying so much success to get them over .500 and then to the top of the NL Central. They lost a weekend series to the Reds and concluded a homestand with three losses in four games surrendering 31 runs in those outings. The Cubs average 5.4 runs per game and coupling that with some recent shaky pitching has allowed them to cash the over in five straight games and in seven of the last eight.
The Astros have won 10 games in a row on two different occasions this season, but they are dealing with injuries to Jose Altuve and George Springer with the makeshift lineup producing just a split of their last eight games ahead of this series. Miley has been the team’s good luck charm at home, however, with the Astros winning all five of his starts at MMP.
Probable Pitchers
When Kyle Hendricks ( 4-4, 3.34 ERA ) is good, he’s really good. However, he hasn’t been sharp over his last two outings allowing seven earned runs over 11.2 innings. He had a quality start his last time out but got a ND in a 6-5 loss to the Reds.
Hendricks showed us why he got an extension in the offseason by having a three-game stretch where he gave up just one earned run and 12 hits over 25 frames. He had his sinker working in those outings with 32 ground ball outs and 17 strikeouts. Hendricks pitches to contact and could have a strong outing against the free-swinging Astros. This will be his first appearance against the AL West leaders.
An added arm when Lance McCullers was lost for the season and Dallas Keuchel walked as a free agent, Wade Miley ( 5-2, 3.32 ERA ) has been more than a rotation fill-in. He held the Red Sox to four hits and one run with eight strikeouts over 6.0 innings in his last start to get the win.
Miley has been good at home boasting a 3-0 record with a 2.15 ERA and 29 strikeouts over 29.1 innings. The Astros are a perfect 5-0 at Minute Maid Park in his five starts and they are 8-3 overall in games started by Miley. The bats also come alive with Miley on the hill scoring at least 10 runs in four of his starts while scoring over six runs per game with the veteran on the bump.
Live Betting
It’s always important to keep an eye on the injury list and there is the possibility some key players could be on the bench for the series and this game. Kris Bryant exited the Cubs’ game with Cincinnati on Sunday after colliding with Jason Heyward while trying to track down a fly ball. The former MVP has been hot of late and his absence will affect Chicago’s production. The Astros will be without George Springer, and Jose Altuve could be back after missing time. Springer was having a MVP-type season and his stick from the middle of the lineup will impact Houston’s lineup. Minus those players, the pitching staffs will have more wiggle room and the under looks like the right call on the total.
Free MLB ATS Picks
Hendricks pitches to contact and if he’s on his game he won’t throw a lot of pitches. The Astros have struggled to score recently with the absence of two big sticks causing problems in the middle of the lineup. Miley has been unbeatable at home, however, he has given up the long ball and Chicago’s offense is loaded with guys that can go yard. Watch for a few of those blasts to provide the Cubs with enough offense to get the W.
MLB Pick: Chicago Cubs 4, Houston Astros 3
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