- Matchup: Houston Astros vs Chicago Cubs
- Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
- Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: Marquee Network
- Odds/Point Spread: Houston (+132) Chicago (-160)
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This Friday, Wrigley Field will host a captivating matchup as the Chicago Cubs (29-21) take on the Houston Astros (20-31). Current betting odds position the Astros at +132, while the Cubs are favored at -160. The over/under for total runs is set at 8. Starting pitchers for the game are Spencer Arrighetti for Houston and Jameson Taillon for Chicago.
As a team, the Houston Astros are averaging 4.3 runs per game, ranking them 18th in the league. They have accumulated a total of 218 runs and showcase a team on-base percentage (OBP) of .321. The Astros have hit 84 doubles and launched 60 home runs, driving in 208 runs with a combined batting average of .246. The team’s slugging percentage stands at .404, while their hitters have struck out 411 times and drawn 171 walks this season.
The Astros’ pitching staff carries a team ERA of 5.34, ranking them 30th in baseball, with 431 strikeouts recorded. They’ve allowed a total of 67 home runs and 274 runs overall (29th in the league). Houston’s pitchers have issued 249 walks, and the team’s Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) sits at 5.01. The Astros have allowed 434 hits (approximately 8.8 per 9 innings) and 265 earned runs, resulting in a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.73 and a collective WHIP of 1.53.
A total of 154 relief pitchers have taken the mound for the Astros so far this season. The bullpen has inherited 89 runners, with 27.0% of them crossing the plate. Moreover, they have secured 18 holds (26th in the league). Astros relievers have faced runners on base 54 times and have appeared in 38 high-leverage situations, with 11 saves recorded from 13 opportunities, boasting a save rate of 84.6% in 31 save situations.
Defensively, the Houston Astros have registered 1,339 putouts, 390 assists, and committed 17 errors this season, achieving a .990 fielding percentage which ranks them 3rd in Major League Baseball, alongside 46 double plays. They have converted 69.1% of balls in play into outs throughout 4,017 innings, positioning them 23rd in the league.
Spencer Arrighetti has pitched 216 innings throughout his career, striking out 237 batters with an ERA of 4.16 (100 earned runs allowed) and a WHIP of 1.374. He has allowed 191 hits (8.0 hits per 9 innings) and issued 106 walks, holding a career record of 13-19 and a FIP of 4.10 while facing 940 batters in Major League Baseball.
The Chicago Cubs have hit 58 home runs this season along with 227 RBIs. They’ve also recorded 76 doubles, walking 228 times and scoring a total of 246 runs. The Cubs have an on-base percentage of .338 and a batting average of .242. Their slugging percentage is .397, averaging 4.92 runs per game, ranking them 7th in the league, with 417 strikeouts (14th in MLB) and 410 base hits this season.
As for pitching, the Cubs carry a WHIP of 1.227 with a FIP of 4.38. They rank 15th in the majors in total hits allowed (393) and have allowed 218 runs this season with an ERA of 4.07 (201 earned runs). Their strikeout-to-walk ratio is 8.10 (402 strikeouts vs. 152 walks), having surrendered 67 home runs and yielding 4.42 runs per 9 innings (13th in baseball).
In terms of save efficiency, the Cubs have faced 31 save situations this season, achieving 11 holds and experiencing 7 blown saves. Relief pitchers have appeared in 17 save opportunities, successfully converting 10 saves. Chicago’s relievers have inherited runners 69 times, with a score percentage of 27.5%. Their bullpen has been involved in 50 high-leverage appearances and ranks 21st in MLB with a save percentage of 58.8%, having utilized 151 relievers throughout the season.
Across 3,999 defensive innings, the Cubs have a defensive efficiency of 71.9% (5th in the majors). They have turned 35 double plays, maintaining a fielding percentage of .986 (17th in the majors) with 472 assists, 25 errors, and 1,333 putouts recorded this year.
Jameson Taillon holds an 84-63 career record with a 3.92 ERA and has allowed 8.6 hits per nine innings. He has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.59, facing 5,338 batters in his MLB career. Taillon has surrendered 560 earned runs and holds a WHIP of 1.194 with a FIP of 3.90. To date, he has permitted 1,226 hits while achieving 1,115 strikeouts over 1,287 innings pitched.
Who will prevail in this exciting MLB matchup tonight – will it be against the spread or the moneyline?
Prediction: Bet on Houston (+132)
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