Posted at 1:15 PM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle  +144 BET365 +145 Sportsinteraction +141 888Sport +140

Chicago +145 over Houston

8:10 PM EST. We wrote yesterday that the Cubs were a "plucky underdog," and while we did not cash that ticket, we see no reason not to come right back on Chicago here today with Justin Steele (LHP - CHC) on the bump. Steele is on a roll, and he's totally legit. The 6-0 record is what is going to draw the headlines, but that is a team record and not one that reflects a pitcher's quality, even if it's one that makes him look good. While that is the case for Steele, he has the goods to back up the run support his teammates are giving him. Though 49.1 innings across eight starts, Steele sports an elite groundball rate of 51.1%. While he has 39 strikeouts in those eight starts, Steele brings a solid 63.5% first-pitch strike rate, which puts him in a great position to induce those ground balls and get outs.

The Astros took Game 1 of this series, 6-4, and sent out Cristian Javier (RHP - HOU) for his ninth start of the season. Javier has been really good, so we're not going to take potshots. Rather, we are going to once again trust that Houston is overpriced in this series based on market perception and recent results, as the Astros have won four of their last five, while the Cubs have lost three straight. Those factors add up to an inflated price on the visiting Cubbies, who are too good to be taking back a price like this.

Finnie

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