Houston Astros vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions June 27th 2025

Astros clash with Cubs, aim to continue torrid run at home

The Chicago Cubs will take on the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston, TX, on Friday, June 27, 2025. The game is scheduled for 8:10 PM and will be broadcast on MARQ. The weather forecast indicates a very hot day with a light breeze, but the retractable roof at Daikin Park should keep conditions stable.

Both teams come into this game with identical records of 48-33. The Cubs, under Manager Craig Counsell, have a road record of 23-18. The Astros, managed by Joe Espada, boast a strong home record of 30-13. Starting on the mound for the Cubs is Cade Horton, while the Astros will counter with Brandon Walter.

Cubs vs Astros Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros
• Venue: Daikin Park in Houston, TX
• Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
• Betting Odds: Cubs MoneyLine -110, Astros MoneyLine -109

The Cubs Can Win If…

The Chicago Cubs recently secured a 3-0 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. Shota Imanaga was strong on the mound, allowing just one hit over five innings. Michael Busch contributed with a home run, while Carson Kelly added two hits.

The Cubs have a solid batting average of .256, ranking third in the league. They have hit 119 home runs, also placing them third in the league. Their on-base percentage of .324 is another strength, ranking fifth overall.

Cade Horton will start for the Cubs with a 3.73 ERA. Horton has shown reliability with a 3-1 record this season. The Cubs’ lineup, featuring players like Seiya Suzuki and Kyle Tucker, offers strong offensive potential.

The Astros Can Win If…

The Houston Astros recently secured a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Hunter Brown was impressive on the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing only three hits while striking out nine. Cam Smith also contributed with two hits and an RBI, helping the Astros clinch the win.

The Astros’ pitching has been a strong point this season. They rank 3rd in earned run average with a 3.40 ERA and lead the league with a .218 batting average against. Their pitchers have also recorded the most strikeouts in the league, totaling 798.

Key players like Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes are essential to the Astros’ success. Peña holds a .324 batting average, while Paredes leads the team with 16 home runs. With solid pitching and consistent hitting, the Astros are well-equipped to win their next game against the Chicago Cubs.

The Lean

The Cubs are slightly favored with a moneyline of -110 against the Astros at -109. The Cubs have a strong hitting lineup, ranking 3rd in batting average and home runs. The Astros have a better pitching staff, with a 3rd-ranked ERA and the best batting average against. However, the Cubs’ balanced offense gives them a slight edge. My model projects the Cubs to win with a score of 5-4. I recommend taking the Cubs on the moneyline.

The total for this game is set at 8.5 runs. The Cubs have a solid slugging percentage, ranked 4th, while the Astros’ pitching is strong, ranking 3rd in ERA. Both teams have the potential to score, but the Astros’ pitching might keep the game tight. My model projects a total score of 9 runs. I recommend taking the over on 8.5 runs.

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Cubs and Astros Collide in Battle Between MLB’s Third-Best Records

Two of baseball’s best are set to square off as the Chicago Cubs travel to face the Houston Astros in a three-game showdown starting Friday night. Both teams hold identical 48-33 records—tied for the third-best in the majors, trailing only the Tigers and Dodgers.

Both squads enter the series on a high note following Thursday victories. The Cubs shut out the Cardinals 3-0 to split a four-game set in St. Louis, while the Astros wrapped up a three-game sweep of the Phillies with a narrow 2-1 win.

“We’re playing great baseball on both sides of the ball. Everybody’s doing their job… and letting the game speak for itself.”
— Cam Smith

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Chicago received a big lift from the return of left-hander Shota Imanaga, who delivered five dominant innings of one-hit ball in his first start since May 4. Michael Busch continued his hot June with a solo homer, bringing his season totals to 13 home runs, 46 RBIs, and a strong .273/.363/.506 slash line.

“It looked like he’d been out there every single start. I think he controlled his effort level really well, and that caused a lot of good execution.”
— Craig Counsell on Imanaga

The Astros, meanwhile, are on a tear—winners of 12 of their last 15 and boasting a stellar 30-13 record at Minute Maid Park. Houston’s offense has been quiet of late, but their pitching has been exceptional. Over the three-game sweep of Philadelphia, Astros hurlers allowed just one run.

On Thursday, Hunter Brown was lights-out, tossing seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. He’s now 1.74 ERA on the season, cementing his place among the AL’s top arms.

“I think you’ve got a bunch of guys that believe in one another… I think that’s what you’re seeing right now.”
— Hunter Brown

Series Opener: Horton vs. Walter

Friday’s opener features a young pitching duel. Cubs rookie Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA) gets the nod after two straight no-decisions. This will be his first time facing Houston. The Astros counter with lefty Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA), who’s looking to bounce back from a rough start against the Angels where he gave up seven runs over four innings.

Walter’s only prior appearance against the Cubs came in July 2023, when he allowed two runs over two innings.

This series not only has playoff implications but also gives bettors plenty to analyze—from starting pitcher trends to offensive momentum. If you’re keeping up with the latest MLB predictions and picks, this high-stakes matchup is one to watch closely.

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