Cubs vs Astros Prediction 5/22/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Astros prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 22nd at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 29-21 this year after they lost all three against the Brewers by scores of 3-9, 2-5, and 0-5. In game three, Chicago fell behind in the third inning and they never found any offense in the shutout loss. The Cubs recorded two hits and they committed three errors, while they were led by Bregman, who went 1-4 in the game. Cabrera allowed four hits and one earned run over 3.0 innings for the loss, while Maton allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to that series, Chicago lost two out of three against the White Sox and two out of three against the Braves. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.07 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .236 opponent batting average, while they have scored 246 runs with a .242 batting average and a .338 on base percentage. Nico Hoerner has led the Cubs with four home runs and 30 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added seven home runs and 27 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Jameson Taillon, who is 2-3 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP over 50.2 innings pitched this year. 

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros are 20-31 this season after they lost two out of three against the Twins by scores of 3-6, 2-1, and 1-4. In game three, Houston led 1-0 in the second inning, but they went scoreless over the last seven innings in the loss. The Astros recorded five hits in the game and they were led by Vazquez, who went 1-2 with one RBI. Burrows allowed six hits and four earned runs over 6.0 innings for the loss, while Pearson threw a scoreless inning in relief. Prior to that series, Houston won two out of three against the Rangers, but lost three out of four against the Mariners before that. 

This season, Houston has a 5.34 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP and a .255 opponent batting average, while they have scored 218 runs with a .246 batting average and a .321 on base percentage. Yordan Alvarez has led the Astros with 15 home runs and 31 RBIs, while Christian Walker has added 11 home runs and 31 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Spencer Arrighetti, who is 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 36.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last seven home games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Astros have lost each of their last six day games against National League opponents.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight day games against National League opponents.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last four home games against the Astros.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last five home day games.
• The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven day games.

Why the Houston Astros will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last four games as favorites.
• The Astros have won five of their last six games as underdogs against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last nine Friday day games.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven day games following a loss.
• The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games.
• The Astros have led after 5 innings in each of their last four day games against the Cubs.

Total Runs Facts

• Six of the Cubs’ last seven games against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Astros’ last six games as underdogs against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last seven road games against NL Central opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Cubs’ last seven day games at Wrigley Field.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last three home games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Jameson Taillon has recorded five or more strikeouts in four of his last five home appearances against AL opponents.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 11 day games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
• Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in five of his last six home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T9th in the league in Steals (12) this season.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Isaac Paredes has hit at least one home run in each of his last two road appearances against former teams.
• Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances with the Astros as road underdogs against NL opponents.
• Yordan Alvarez ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.605) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (228).
• The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for on-base percentage this season (.338).
• The Astros rank 30th in the league for ERA this season (5.34).
• The Astros rank 30th in the league for walks allowed this season (249).

Cubs vs Astros Prediction 

Houston comes into this matchup after losing three of their last four games and they have scored a total of six runs in their last four games. The Astros are 8-17 on the road this year, while the Cubs are 18-8 at home. Chicago has lost nine of their last eleven games and they have allowed 5+ runs in six straight. The Cubs are starting Taillon, who has allowed 8, 1, 2, 3, and 4 earned runs in his last five starts, while Arrighetti has allowed one earned run or fewer in four straight starts. Houston has the better starter, but I don’t trust their bats. Take the Cubs here.