Last Updated on September 9, 2016 5:04 pm by Brad Burns
Bryant, MLB-best Cubs invade Astros’ lair
With their playoff aspirations fading fast, the Astros will ask a rookie hurler to muzzle the 89-50 Cubs in a few hours. The majors’ top team boasts, well, a much steadier option on the hill.
Joe Musgrove and Jon Lester are preparing to lock horns in tonight’s interleague opener between the two clubs, with an 8:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Minute Maid Park. Handicappers at online sports book Bovada.lv prefer Chicago, whereas the hosts represent +121 underdogs. The over/under run total holds steady at eight.
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Decimated by injuries on the bump, Houston can only hope that Musgrove (2-3, 5.06 ERA) looks sharper than he did nearly a week ago. Texas tagged the California native for eight hits and four runs in 4 1/3 innings. Musgrove is 1-3 with an 8.53 ERA since Aug. 18.
On the flip side, Lester (15-4, 2.61) continues to fashion a Cy Young-worthy campaign. The lefty owns a 6-0 record with a 0.96 WHIP over his past nine starts. He’ll face the Astros (74-66) for the first time in eight years.
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While the Cubbies aren’t utterly invincible on the road, they’re still 38-30 away from the Friendly Confines. Expect Kris Bryant (.302 batting average), Anthony Rizzo (.295/.390/.557) and the rest of the North Siders to take advantage of the very friendly dimensions in the Lone Star State shortly.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS/ASTROS OVER 8 RUNS