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Houston Astros vs Chicago Cubs June 28th 2025
The Chicago Cubs travel to Houston to take on the Astros at Daikin Park. The game is set for Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 7:15 PM. Fans can catch the action on FOX as the Cubs, with a 48-34 record, aim to improve their road performance against the Astros.
The Astros, managed by Joe Espada, have a strong home record of 31-13. Lance McCullers Jr. will start for Houston, looking to improve his 1-2 record. Colin Rea takes the mound for the Cubs, bringing a 4-3 record into the game. Weather conditions include a light breeze, but the retractable roof at Daikin Park should minimize any impact on play.
Cubs vs Astros Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros
- Venue: Daikin Park in Houston, TX
- Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
- Betting Odds: Astros MoneyLine -127, Cubs MoneyLine +107
The Cubs Can Win If…
The Chicago Cubs recently played against the Houston Astros, losing 7-4. Despite the loss, the Cubs showed strong offensive potential with eight hits and five extra-base hits. Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw were key players, with Hoerner hitting a home run and Shaw driving in three runs with two doubles.
The Cubs have strong hitting stats this season, ranking fourth in batting average at .255 and fourth in slugging percentage at .444. They have hit 120 home runs, also ranking fourth. This offensive strength gives them a good chance to put up runs in the upcoming game.
Colin Rea will be the starting pitcher for the Cubs, with an ERA of 4.42 and a WHIP of 1.39. The Cubs’ lineup, featuring power hitters like Seiya Suzuki and Kyle Tucker, can challenge the opposing pitcher. With their ability to hit home runs and get on base, the Cubs have the tools needed to win this game.
The Astros Can Win If…
The Houston Astros recently defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-4 at home. Brandon Walter pitched 6 innings, allowing just 1 earned run and striking out 5. Cam Smith and Yainer Diaz led the charge with home runs, driving in 3 runs each.
Houston’s batting lineup has been effective, ranking 3rd in batting average at .256. The team also ranks 7th in on-base percentage, showing they can get on base and create scoring opportunities. With hitters like Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes, the Astros have the power to score runs.
The Astros’ pitching staff is strong, ranking 4th in ERA at 3.41. They also lead the league in strikeouts, which helps keep opposing teams from scoring. Lance McCullers Jr. will start, and though his ERA is 4.91, the Astros’ defense and bullpen can provide support.
The Lean
The Astros are the favorite with a moneyline of -127, and the Cubs are the underdog at +107. My model projects the Astros to win with a score of 5-3. The Astros have a strong pitching staff with a 3.41 ERA, ranked 4th, and a batting average against of .218, ranked 2nd, which supports the pick for them to win.
The over/under line is set at 8.5 runs. My model projects a total score of 8 runs for the game. Given the Astros’ solid pitching and the Cubs’ lower slugging percentage, ranked 13th, the under 8.5 is the recommended pick.
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Cam Smith Heating Up as Astros Eye Series Win Over Cubs
Rookie Cam Smith is giving the Houston Astros exactly what they needed — timely offense from an unexpected source. And as the Astros look to clinch a series win over the Chicago Cubs Saturday night, Smith’s bat may once again prove pivotal.
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Rookie Making a Statement Against His Former Team
On Friday night, Smith went 2-for-2 with a three-run homer and two walks, sparking the Astros to a 7-4 win over the Cubs. It was a performance dripping with narrative power — not just because it extended his hitting streak to five games, but because it came against the team that drafted him just one year ago.
“He’s turning the corner where (he’s) getting big hits (in) big games,” said Astros manager Joe Espada. “But I think he was playing with a little bit of an edge.”
Since May 1, Smith is hitting .308 with 12 doubles, three home runs, and 21 RBIs, showcasing why the Astros were confident enough to include Kyle Tucker in the offseason blockbuster that brought him to Houston.
McCullers Returns as Astros Continue to Shuffle Rotation
Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. will make his first start since June 10 after missing time with a foot sprain. The Astros hope he can regain his pre-injury form, which featured 19 strikeouts in 12 innings over two quality starts.
McCullers (1-2, 4.91 ERA) will face the Cubs for the first time in his career. He owns a respectable 3.84 ERA in interleague matchups, and with the Astros climbing the AL West standings, every inning he can give them counts.
Cubs Try to Regroup Behind Struggling Rea
Chicago will counter with Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA), who has had a tough go lately. The righty is winless in his last six starts with a 7.39 ERA over that span. In his most recent outing, he was tagged for four home runs and seven earned runs against Seattle.
Rea’s track record against Houston is shaky — he gave up five runs in just over four innings the last time he faced them. If the Cubs are to avoid a series loss, Rea will need to keep the ball in the park and limit traffic.
The Cubs came into this high-profile interleague series tied with the Astros for the third-best record in the majors. While Friday’s loss was a wake-up call, there’s still time to respond.
“This was a really good regular-season environment,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “This is a good example of what the playoffs are going to look like.”
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As Cam Smith continues his emergence and the Astros roll into playoff form, all eyes are on Minute Maid Park. The Cubs have the talent to respond, but with Houston’s lineup heating up and McCullers returning, Chicago’s margin for error is shrinking fast.
