In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Astros prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, June 29th at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 49-34 this year after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 4-7 and 12-3. In their game two win, Chicago trailed 2-1 in the third inning, but they scored the next 11 runs to pull away in the win. The Cubs recorded 15 hits in the game and they were led by Tucker and Busch, who both had three RBIs in the win. Chicago started Rea, who allowed five hits and two earned runs over 5.0 innings for the win, while Hodge allowed one earned run in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Cubs split four games with the Cardinals and lost two out of three against the Mariners. Chicago has won three of their last four games and they are currently first in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.88 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .249 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 453 runs with a .257 batting average and a .326 on base percentage this season. Seiya Suzuki has led Chicago with 22 home runs and 69 RBIs, while Pete Crow-Armstrong has added 21 home runs and 62 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Jameson Taillon, who is 7-5 with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 90.2 innings pitched this year. 

Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Houston Astros are 49-34 this season after they lost game two by a score of 12-3 on Saturday. Houston led 2-1 in the third inning, but they didn’t score again until the eighth inning in the loss. The Astros recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Smith, who went 2-4 with one home run and two RBIs in the loss. Houston started McCullers Jr., who allowed seven hits and eight earned runs over 3.1 innings for the loss, while Gusto allowed four earned runs in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Astros swept the Phillies in three games and won two out of three against the Angels. Houston has won five of their last six games and they are currently first in the AL West standings. The Houston pitching staff has a 3.52 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and a .220 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 348 runs with a .255 batting average and a .321 on base percentage this season. Isaac Paredes has led Houston with 17 home runs and 46 RBIs, while Jeremy Pena has added 11 home runs and 40 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Framber Valdez, who is 8-4 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 103.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Astros will beat the Cubs
The Astros have won each of their last eight games at Daikin Park following a home loss.
The Cubs have lost each of their last four games against American League opponents following a win.
The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as road underdogs following a win.
The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last four games as favorites against NL Central opponents following a loss.
The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games as underdogs.
The Astros have led after 5 innings in each of their last four day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts
Thirteen of the Cubs’ last 14 games against AL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Each of the last five games between the Cubs and Astros at Daikin Park have gone OVER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 11 of the last 12 games between the Cubs and Astros.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Cubs’ last nine games at Daikin Park.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
Brendan Rodgers has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with his team as a home favorite against NL Central opponents.
Framber Valdez has recorded a win in each of his last eight Sunday appearances in day games with the Astros as favorites.
Yainer Diaz has hit a home run in two of the Astros’ last three home games against NL Central opponents.
Framber Valdez has recorded seven or more strikeouts in seven of his last nine home appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
Seiya Suzuki has hit at least one home run in three of the Cubs’ last four road games against the Astros.
Jameson Taillon has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.
Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last nine road games against AL West opponents.
Dansby Swanson has recorded a Double in three of the Cubs’ last four games as road underdogs against AL opponents.
Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in seven of his last nine appearances in day games.

Cubs vs Astros Prediction 
Houston had their winning streak snapped in game two on Saturday night, but they continue to hold a healthy lead in the AL West standings. The Astros are 31-14 at home this year, while the Cubs are 24-19 on the road. Chicago is also leading their division and they are starting Taillon, who has allowed 13 earned runs and 16 hits over his last 8.0 innings. Houston is going with Valdez, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight starts. Valdez has been elite over the last month, so give me the Astros -1.5 here. 

David Racey's Pick: Astros -1.5