Weekend Series Review 6/27-6/29
The Houston Astros took care of business at home, winning two of three games against a strong Chicago Cubs team in a series that felt like a heavyweight bout. After the Astros took the opener, the Cubs' offense exploded on Saturday to even the series, but Houston's pitching proved to be the difference in a tight rubber match on Sunday.
Friday (Astros won, pick lost) Astros 7 - Cubs 4. The series started with an offensive burst from the Astros. They tagged Cubs starter Cade Horton for seven runs in four innings, powered by a three-run homer from Yainer Diaz in the 3rd and another three-run shot from Cam Smith in the 4th. The Cubs tried to claw back, with Nico Hoerner hitting a solo shot and Matt Shaw driving in three runs, but the early deficit was too much to overcome.
Saturday (Cubs won, pick won) Cubs 12 - Astros 3. The Cubs' offense, which was our key to the series pick, came alive in a massive way. They erupted for seven runs in the 4th inning alone, cruising to a dominant victory to even the series. The game was a slugfest for Chicago, with multiple players contributing to the 15-hit attack. The Astros couldn't keep pace, and their pitching was unable to contain the onslaught.
Sunday (Astros won, pick won) Astros 2 - Cubs 0. The finale was a classic pitcher's duel, and unfortunately for our series pick, Framber Valdez was as masterful as we expected. He and the Astros bullpen, including a dominant Bryan Abreu, shut down the Cubs' offense completely. A key two-run homer by Jose Altuve off Jameson Taillon in the 5th inning accounted for all the scoring in the game. The Cubs' bats, so explosive the day before, were held to just five hits and struck out 11 times.
Key stat from the series - Team OPS vs. Opponent Handedness. This stat was crucial. On Friday, the Astros' right-handed bats teed off on the Cubs' righty, Cade Horton. On Saturday, the Cubs' lineup showed its potential. But on Sunday, the matchup we highlighted as critical went the other way: the Cubs' offense couldn't solve the Astros' ace lefty, Framber Valdez, which ultimately decided the series.
The Astros improve their record to 50-34, continuing their strong play in June and solidifying their lead in the AL West. The Cubs fall to 49-35 but remain in first place in the NL Central.
Cubs +105 to win the series: LOSS