Get ‘Em While They’re Down: Cubs vs Astros – Series Preview

Cubs vs Astros — Splitting a four-gamer against the current, badly-struggling Miami Marlins is unquestionably a bad outcome, especially when one of those two losses was a win-in-hand that slipped away into the seats. But the typical, and maddeningly correct, response is that’s just baseball. You expect to take 3 of 4 in a series like that, but when there’s a double-header baked in, you’re just not able to assume a .750 winning percentage, you know? The split is gonna happen sometimes.

Now the Cubs get another badly-struggling club, though this one was supposed to be a lot better than the Marlins. Still, given how banged up the Astros’ rotation is, you’d love to see the Cubs take this series, even with a now-healthy Justin Verlander pitching the finale. A tough stretch of games looms, so being able to take two of three from a good team while they’re down would be quite an assist.

The Cubs’ bats will probably have to do a lot of the heavy lifting if that’s going to happen, as the Astros sport the fourth best wRC+ in baseball right now (118), as all of Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, and Jeremy Peña have RAKED this year.

Cubs vs Astros – Pitching Probables:

Game 1: Tuesday, April 23 at 6:40 CT at Wrigley Field
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, TBS, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Jordan Wicks, LHP
  • Astros: J.P. France, RHP
  • Game 2: Wednesday, April 24 at 6:40 CT at Wrigley Field
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
  • Astros: Spencer Arrighetti, RHP
  • Game 3: Thursday, April 25 at 1:20 CT at Wrigley Field
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Javier Assad, RHP
  • Astros: Justin Verlander, RHP
  • Cubs vs Astros – Key Injuries:

    Chicago Cubs:

  • Seiya Suzuki, OF
  • Justin Steele, SP
  • Julian Merryweather, RP
  • Caleb Kilian, SP
  • Houston Astros:

  • Kendall Graveman, RHP
  • Lance McCullers, RHP
  • Luis Garcia, RHP
  • Cristian Javier, RHP
  • Framber Valdez, LHP
  • Jose Urquidy, RHP
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 9, Cubs 3 – May 17, 2024

    For six hitless, profoundly dominant innings, Paul Skenes today looked like the best pitching prospect I've seen since maybe Stephen Strasburg. The other two who came to mind as I watched were Matt Harvey and Jose Fernandez. Those three, when...

    MLBits: Elly De La Cruz Continues to Electrify, Yanks Want Soto for Long Haul, More

    Elly De La Cruz continues to dazzle and the Yankees want Juan Soto in New York for the rest of his career. That and more in today's MLB Notes! Elly De La Cruz's Four Steal Night Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly...

    Cubs Farm Report | May 17, 2024: I-Cubs’ Homer Party Helps Cade Horton Get His First Triple-A Win

    The Iowa Cubs mashed four home runs and scored 10 runs, as Cade Horton made his best start at Triple-A on Thursday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | May 17, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs...

    Cubs Roster Moves: Brewer to the IL, Hodge to Chicago

    YES! ANOTHER CUBS PLAYER IS HITTING THE INJURED LIST! ANOTHER CUBS RELIEVER AT THAT! PLEASE DO NOT MISTAKE MY SHOUTING FOR EXCITEMENT! IT IS ACTUALLY JUST INCREDULITY AND CAFFEINE! Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Colten Brewer on the 15-day...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Seiya Sits, But PCA is Back

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs dropped the opener last night at Wrigley Field, but they've got a Friday 1:20 start with Kyle Hendricks on the bump (and the sun shining) today. Maybe those good vibes will be enough to take...

    Hoping on Happ and Hoerner, Steele and Jones, Murray, Roku, Vegas, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Here's hoping no Pirates players take a wrong turn in Wrigleyville and get detained trying to get into Wrigley Field. Maybe have to miss the game. (This is a Scottie Scheffler reference, for those who haven't seen the bonkers story...

    Cade Horton’s Latest Triple-A Iowa Start Came with Some Awesomeness and Some Bad Luck

    Cade Horton's latest Triple-A outing went better than the last one, though even it will come with some explanation. Officially, the line for Horton was 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K. Fine. Solid. Not overly impressive....

    Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 5, Cubs 4 – May 16, 2024

    The Cubs had a golden opportunity handed to them in the bottom of the eighth inning when leadoff man Seiya Suzuki was hit by a pitch and reached third on a swinging bunt (+ error) for Cody Bellinger immediately after....

    The Mini-Break Pays Off: Ian Happ with a ROCKET Home Run!

    After a red-hot first ten games of the season (172 wRC+), Ian Happ had gone ice cold offensively. Aside from continuing to take his walks (he always does), his overall production plummeted to the point where Craig Counsell game him...

    Kevin Alcantara Doubles, Matt Shaw Singles, and Moises Ballesteros HOMERS THEM ALL IN!

    Brennen Davis isn't the only hot Cubs prospect. In fact, Moises Ballesteros is basically THE hot Cubs prospect of the season so far. And tonight, after two of the Cubs top prospects — Kevin Alcantara (on a double) and Matt...

    Latest News

    Phillies vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, May 18, 2024

    The Washington Nationals (20-23) hope to avoid their fourth straight defeat when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies (32-14) Saturday at 6:05 PM ET on NBCS-PH. The Phillies are listed as -181 favorites, while the Nationals are +152 underdogs as they...

    Royals vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – May 18

    The Oakland Athletics (19-28), who lost their previous six games, take on the Kansas City Royals (27-19) at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. First pitch is at 7:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Royals will send Seth...

    Rangers vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – May 18

    The Los Angeles Angels (17-28) play on the road against the Texas Rangers (23-23) at Globe Life Field. The game is set to start at 7:15 PM ET on Saturday.The Rangers will give the nod to Jose Urena (1-3) versus...

    Astros vs. Brewers Probable Starting Pitchers – May 18

    Following a stretch of six consecutive wins, the Houston Astros (20-25) play the Milwaukee Brewers (26-18) at 7:10 PM ET on Saturday.The Astros will give the nod to Justin Verlander (2-1, 3.38 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 3 on...

    Braves vs. Padres Probable Starting Pitchers – May 18

    The San Diego Padres (23-24) play against the Atlanta Braves (26-15) on the road on Saturday beginning at 7:15 PM ET.The Braves will give the nod to Bryce Elder (1-1) against the Padres and Yu Darvish (3-1).Braves vs. Padres Pitcher...

    Red Sox vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – May 18

    The Boston Red Sox (22-23) and the St. Louis Cardinals (19-25) play at Busch Stadium on Saturday at 7:15 PM ET. In this contest, the Red Sox have the chance to end a three-game skid.The Red Sox will call on...

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Saturday, May 18, 2024

    Today's NBA playoff slate has just one contest -- the Oklahoma City Thunder playing the Dallas Mavericks.Looking for NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every contest, so take a look.Oklahoma City Thunder...

    Twins vs. Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers – May 18

    The Cleveland Guardians (28-17) have a home game against the Minnesota Twins (24-20), who are coming off a four-game losing streak. Saturday's matchup starts at 6:10 PM ET.The probable starters are Bailey Ober (4-1) for the Twins and Logan Allen...

    Phillies vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – May 18

    Following a three-game losing streak, the Washington Nationals (20-23) take on the Philadelphia Phillies (32-14) on Saturday at 6:05 PM ET.The Phillies will look to Cristopher Sanchez (2-3) versus the Nationals and MacKenzie Gore (2-4).Phillies vs. Nationals Pitcher Matchup and...

    Orioles vs. Mariners Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, May 18, 2024

    The Baltimore Orioles (28-14) are favored on the moneyline (-111) in Saturday's contest with the Seattle Mariners (24-21). Game time is at 4:05 PM ET on MASN2. The Mariners, with +160 odds, are favored against the spread (1.5).Baltimore's John Means...

    more cubs news