Game No. 142 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs

Houston Astros (74-67) vs. Chicago Cubs (90-50), September 10, 2016, 12:05 PM CT

TV: Fox
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV, Fox Sports Go
Cubs SBNation Blog: Bleed Cubbie Blue

Pitching Matchup

RHP Collin McHugh (9-10, 4.96 ERA, 1.51 WHIP) vs. RHP John Lackey (9-7, 3.36 ERA, 1.02 WHIP)

Preview

Well, the Astros season is over because they passed on Kris Bryant and he hit a home run against Houston on Friday. Oh, wait. It's not. The Astros have two games left with the Cubs and still have a chance at the wild card.

Collin McHugh hopes to continue the solid pitching after the Astros only gave up two runs over nine innings. McHugh has struggled of late, posting a 2-3 record with a 5.01 ERA in six August starts. He allowed five runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings in his most recent start on Sept. 4 against the Rangers.

McHugh has an ERA two points lower at home than on the road. He is 5-4 with a 3.89 ERA in 13 home starts this season. Current Cubs are batting .273 against McHugh with .300 BABIP, 4.38 FIP, 10.7 K% and a 14.3 BB%.

John Lackey has been stellar since the all-star break. He is 2-2 with 2.51 ERA in seven starts. In Lackey's last start, he allowed one earned run over five innings on one hit.

Current Astros are batting .206 (7x34) against Lackey with a .259 BABIP, 1.87 FIP, 23.7 K%, and a 5.3 BB%.