On a three-game MLB slate, Saturday’s Cubs-Astros matchup offers up a potential World Series preview for baseball fans. Houston has reeled off four straight wins, including a 7-4 victory over Chicago on Friday. Tonight, these two star-studded squads will battle it out in primetime. Which names are poised to step up in this highly anticipated inter-league contest?
Before the start of tonight’s Cubs vs. Astros showdown, here are two prop bets to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Colin Rea under 3.5 strikeouts thrown (+105)
Houston, currently riding a hot streak, enter Saturday with plenty of momentum. The same can’t be said for Cubs starter Colin Rea. After a stellar start to 2025, the journeyman has fallen back down to Earth. Over his last five outings, the 34-year-old has surrendered 19 earned runs (6.41 ERA). When the seventh-year pro last took the mound against the Mariners, he coughed up seven runs through 5.1 innings. That doesn’t bode well heading into tonight’s matchup. Since June 10th, the Astros have recorded the league’s fifth-highest OPS (.794).
Rea is a soft-tosser, preferring to induce weak contact rather than make batters swing and miss. Unfortunately for him, the Astros are poised to take advantage of this style of pitching. Houston has struck out 7.78 times per game this season, the seventh-lowest mark in baseball. In four of Rea’s last seven appearances, he’s failed to notch more than three K’s. That’s despite pitching at least five innings in all but one of those contests. Even if the right-hander goes deep on Saturday, it’s unlikely he generates many whiffs.
Victor Caratini over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs (-110)
As previously mentioned, this isn’t looking like an ideal spot for Colin Rea. However, the veteran has found far more success against right-handed hitters. Opposing lefties are slashing .338/.381/.571 against Rea this season. The Astros, with slugger Yordan Alvarez (hand) still sidelined, don’t have many southpaws in their lineup. One of the few names that does qualify is Victor Caratini. Over 55 games, the catcher is hitting .246 with six homers and 19 RBIs.
Although those numbers aren’t eye-popping, it’s certainly nothing to sneeze at. It helps that Caratini’s Astros teammates have been swinging well at the plate. With added opportunity for at-bats, there’s a good chance the veteran gets on base once or twice tonight. For those looking for a safer angle here, Caratini 1+ hit (-215) is something to consider. Regardless, the 31-year-old is poised to contribute against a vulnerable starter on Saturday.
