It is the start of a mid-week interleague series as the Houston Astros visit the Chicago Cubs. It is time to continue our MLB odds series with an Astros-Cubs prediction, pick, and how-to-watch.

The Astros come into the game sitting at just 7-16 on the year. they have lost five of their last six as well. After being swept by the Atlanta Braves, the Astros hit the road to face the Washington Nationals. They would win the first game of the series, but fall in each of the final two. Meanwhile, the cubs are 13-9 on the year. That places them in second place in the NL Central, just two back of Milwaukee. They are coming off taking two of four from the Marlins. Still, they are coming off a loss in the series finale against them.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Astros-Cubs Odds

Houston Astros: -1.5 (+128)

Moneyline: -120

Chicago Cubs: +1.5 (-154)

Moneyline: +102

Over: 10 (-110)

Under: 10 (-110)

How to Watch Astros vs. Cubs

Time: 7:40 PM ET/ 3:40 PM PT

TV: SCHN/MARQ/TBS

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Astros Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Astors are 15th in the majors in runs per game while sitting third in batting average, sixth in on-base percentage, and sixth in slugging percentage this year. Jose Altuve has been solid this year, hitting .351 this year with a .419 on-base percentage. Altuve has eight doubles and five home runs, leading to just seven RBIs, but 16 runs scored. Having plenty of RIBs is Kyle Tucker. Tucker is hitting .273 with a .385 on-base percentage. He has six doubles and five home runs. This has led to 17 RBIs this year with 14 runs scored. Meanwhile, Jeremy Pena has been solid this year. He is hitting .344 on the year with a .372 on-base percentage. He has stolen four bases, hit five doubles, and two home runs. Further, he has ten RBIs and11 runs scored.

Yordan Alvarez is scoring a ton of runs this year.r He is hitting .289 on the ear with a .333 on-base percentage. He has hit three doubles and five home runs on the year with 13 RBIs. Further, he has scored 16 times this year. Rounding out the top bats is Yainer Diaz. He is hitting .289 on the year with a .333 on-base percentage. He has three doubles and three home runs, good for nine RBIs and nine runs scored.

The Astros are 29th in team ERA while sitting 29th in wHIP and 28th in opponent batting average. The Astros have not named a starting pitcher for this game. Ty France will be on the hill Wednesday in game two of the series.

Why The Cubs Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Cubs are sixth in the majors in runs per game while sitting 12th in batting average, ninth in on-base percentage, and seventh in slugging percentage this year. Nico Horner has been solid for the Cubs this year. He is hitting .289 on the year with a .389 on-base percentage. e Hoerner has hit six doubles and a triple, helping his six RBIs and 16 runs scored. Leading the way in RBIs is Michael Busch and Cody Bellinger. Busch is hitting .309 on the year with a .385 on-base percentage. He has three doubles and six home runs this year, good for 15 RBIs and 11 runs scored.

Bellinger has hit just .222 with a .319 on-base percentage. He has a double, a triple, and four home runs, leading to his 15 RBVIS. He has also scored nine times. Scoring runs is something Ian Happ has done a lot of. He has scored 14 times this year while hitting .240 and having a .352 on-base percentage. Happ also has a home run and 12 RBIs on the year.

The Cubs are 16th in team ERA while sitting 19th in wHIP and 16th in opponent batting average. Jordan Wicks will be on them out for the Cubs in this one. He is 0-2 with a .529 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP. He has yet to pitch through the fifth inning yet this year. Still, last time out was a solid start for him. Wicks went 4.1 innings, giving up two runs and a home run against the Diamondbacks.

Final Astros-Cubs Prediction & Pick

While the Astros have not named a starting pitcher yet, that may not matter much for the play in this one. Both offensive units are solid. The Astros are hitting great, just not scoring. The Cubs are scoring. Further, Astros pitching has not been good this year, and Jordan Wicks has not been great for the Cubs either. While the Cubs will most likely win this game, the best play in this one is on the total. Take the over.

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Final Astros-Cubs Prediction & Pick: Over 10 (-110)