Astros vs Cubs Prediction 5/23/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate an Astros vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, May 23rd at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros are 21-31 this season after they won game one by a score of 4-2 on Friday afternoon. Houston scored the first four runs in the game and they hung on for the win in the later innings. The Astros recorded nine hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Vazquez, who went 2-4 with one home run and two RBIs. Arrighetti allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings for the win, while King picked up the save. Prior to this series, Houston lost two out of three against the Twins, but did win two out of three against the Rangers before that. 

This season, Houston has a 5.28 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP and a .253 opponent batting average, while they have scored 222 runs with a .247 batting average and a .321 on base percentage. Yordan Alvarez has led the Astros with 15 home runs and 31 RBIs, while Christian Walker has added 11 home runs and 31 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Kai-Wei Teng, who is 2-3 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 31.0 innings pitched this season. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 29-22 this year after they lost game one by a score of 4-2 yesterday. Chicago had plenty of baserunners, but they didn’t score until the sixth inning and blew multiple chances towards the end of the game. The Cubs recorded four hits in the game and they were led by Crow-Armstrong, who went 1-2 with one home run and two RBIs. Taillon allowed eight hits and four earned runs over 4.2 innings for the loss, while Roberts threw two innings in relief. Prior to this series, Chicago lost all three against the Brewers and two out of three against the White Sox. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.07 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .236 opponent batting average, while they have scored 248 runs with a .240 batting average and a .337 on base percentage. Nico Hoerner has led the Cubs with four home runs and 30 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added seven home runs and 27 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Colin Rea, who is 4-2 with a 4.98 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP over 47.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Astros have lost eight of their last nine games following a road win.
• The Cubs have won seven of their last eight games at Wrigley Field against teams that held a losing record.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games against National League opponents after playing the previous day.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in four of their last five home games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in four of their last five home games against opponents that held a losing record.

Why the Houston Astros will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last five games as favorites.
• The underdogs have won each of the last four games between the Astros and Cubs at Wrigley Field.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven day games against American League opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Astros’ last four games at Wrigley Field.
• The Astros have led after 3 innings in four of their last five day games against the Cubs.
• The Astros have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games against the Cubs.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the last four games between the Astros and Cubs at Wrigley Field have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Astros’ last six road games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last seven day games against NL Central opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Cubs’ last eight day games against American League opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Ian Happ has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last eight home games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in three of the Cubs’ last four games at Wrigley Field against opponents that held a losing record.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
• Christian Vazquez has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances at Wrigley Field.

Astros vs Cubs Prediction 

Chicago comes into this matchup on a six game losing streak and they have scored four runs in their last three games. The Cubs are 18-9 at home this year, while the Astros are 9-17 on the road. Houston has won two of their last three games, but they have scored three runs or fewer in four of their last five. The Astros are starting Teng, who has allowed three earned runs in his last 8.0 innings, while Rea has allowed 4+ earned runs in three of his last five. Both teams have had their struggles, but Chicago is due for an offensive outburst and I don’t trust the Houston bullpen. Take the Cubs here.

David Racey's Pick: Cubs ML