Chicago Cubs @ Houston Astros - June 28, 2025

Ah, the sweet taste of baseball season. As I sit here, pen in hand and lucky cap snugly on my head, I’m ready to dive into what promises to be a thrilling interleague matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros at Daikin Park this Saturday. The air is charged with anticipation as both teams have been making waves lately.

Let’s cut right to the chase: I’m leaning towards a victory for the Astros tonight. They’ve been riding high on a five-game winning streak, and the momentum they carry is palpable. Their starter looks a bit shaky at first glance with that 4.91 ERA, but don’t let those numbers fool you; when he’s on his game, he’s got the ability to rack up strikeouts and keep runs at bay.

On the other side of the mound, we’ve got Colin Rea for the Cubs. While his record sits at 4-3 with an ERA of 4.42, there’s something about these matchups that often brings out unexpected performances in pitchers. However, I can’t shake off my gut feeling—this one feels like it’s going to tip in favor of Houston.

The Cubs are good on paper—they average over 5 runs per game—but they’ve been struggling against teams like Houston recently. Their last outing saw them fall short against these very Astros in a 7-4 loss just days ago. With them sitting at 2-4 in their last six games overall and only managing two wins against similar competition lately, I expect they’ll face some stiff resistance from an Astros team that’s clicking on all cylinders right now.

Now let’s get into some betting specifics because we all know that’s where the magic happens! The oddsmakers have opened this one up with Houston favored at -130 against Chicago—a fair line considering current form—and I’m inclined to back it myself. If you’re looking for value while playing it safe, I’d suggest taking that moneyline straight rather than risking any fancy plays.

As for total runs? Well, that’s where my superstitions come into play! Given both teams’ tendencies lately—especially with how well McCullers Jr.’s been able to limit scoring chances—I’m leaning towards taking the UNDER on this total set at 8.5 runs tonight. The last matchup saw an OVER payout due to inflated expectations; however, tonight might see a more subdued affair as solid pitching counters potent batting.

At its core though, baseball is unpredictable—one swing can change everything faster than you can say “home run.” So while my predictions lean toward an Astros win under pressure from their formidable lineup and home advantage combined with solid pitching from McCullers Jr., don’t forget: always trust your instincts as much as your stats!

I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed (and maybe throwing in some extra lucky charms) as we gear up for what should be another electrifying night under those stadium lights! Good luck out there!