The Astros are far from the force they were for years. They are 11 games under .500 and only 8-17 on the road. Now, they head to Wrigley Field for a weekend series with the Cubs. Chicago is 18-8 at home. However, it has lost five in a row overall. The team that has had two double-digit winning streaks in 2026 has fallen into a tie with the St. Louis Cardinals for second place in the NL Central.
The Astros feel like the cure for what ails the Cubbies. It won’t be easy on Friday despite what MLB odds suggest. Jameson Taillon, the listed Cubs’ starter, is only 2-3 with a 4.97 ERA. Houston counters with its best pitcher of the season, righty Spencer Arrighetti, who is 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA. The road team will be tempting here.
