August 27 MLB Series Prices: Cubs vs Mets, Rays vs Astros, and More

• A pair of clubs on three-game losing streaks clash as the Chicago Cubs visit the New York Mets
• The Cubs maintain a slender grasp on a wild card spot despite their recent slide, while the Mets now sit two games outside the postseason picture
• The Tampa Bay Rays aim to solidify their wild card position as they visit the red-hot Houston Astros

The race for wild card spots continues this week, as the New York Mets look to get back into the hunt during a three-game series with the visiting Chicago Cubs. While over in the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays aim to solidify their wild card position as they open a three-game road series against the AL West-leading Houston Astros.

We have odds for each of these new series as well as every other series kicking off on Tuesday.

Chicago Cubs vs New York Mets Series Prices

All odds taken 8/27/19.

Wild Card Spot at Stake as Road-Weary Cubs Visit Slumping Mets

The battle for a National League wild card spot heats up on Tuesday, when the New York Mets open a three-game series against the visiting Chicago Cubs. The Mets find themselves in a desperate situation after getting swept this past weekend in a home series with the Atlanta Braves, and now trail the Cubs by two games in the hunt for the second NL wild card.

The Mets’ three losses to Atlanta put the brakes on an impressive 14-2 run at Citi Field, and a 21-5 overall surge that resurrected their previously moribund postseason hopes.

https://twitter.com/handlit33/status/1165715342284513285?s=20

Despite their recent surge, the Mets have struggled at times to generate offense, scoring two or fewer runs in three of their past four outings. However, the club’s pitching staff have been steady, with Mets’ starters going at least 6.0 innings in five of the clubs past six outings, and surrendering more than one earned run on just one occasion during that stretch.

Cubs vs Mets Probable Starting Pitchers

The Cubs arrive in New York also in desperate need of wins after closing out a six-game home stand with three straight losses to Washington to fall to 2.5 games back of the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central standings.

This weekend’s sweep further complicates matters for a Cubs squad that has struggled terribly on the road. The club has gone 7-13 over their past 20 away dates, and has posted just one road series win since mid-May.

The Mets are behind the Nationals, Cubs, and Phillies. The Mets play the Nationals, Cubs, and Phillies in the next four series. Safe to say everyday this next 12 games are all huge. THE TIME IS NOW. Get hot, or the show is over. #PMA #IDidntHearNoBell #LFGM pic.twitter.com/g7QBWJhF3L

— The 7 Line (@The7Line) August 27, 2019

Chicago has also regularly surrendered big run totals of late, giving up 23 total runs in its three losses to the Nationals, and 6.8 runs per game over its past five outings.

However, Cubs pitching has been stingy in recent trips to Citi Field, where the club has won five of six since June 2017, and limited the Mets to one or fewer runs in three of their past four.

Pick: Mets (-145)

Tampa Bay Rays vs Houston Astros Series Prices

Rays Continue Wild Card Pursuit in Houston

The Tampa Bay Rays look to solidify their tenuous grip on an American League wild card spot as they kick off a three-game set with the AL West-leading Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

The Rays opened their current seven-game road trip on a somewhat disappointing note, splitting a four-game series with the bottom-feeding Baltimore Orioles, capped by a lopsided 8-3 loss on Sunday.

#Athletics won last night; #Rays and #Indians were off so AL wild card race looks like this now: pic.twitter.com/bzzohuzIRE

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 27, 2019

The Rays have surrendered 15 total runs in consecutive losses to Baltimore, and seven or more runs in four of their past seven contests. The club’s two losses to the Orioles also snap an impressive 12-2 run on the road that featured four straight series wins, and lifted Tampa Bay’s road record to an MLB-leading 42-25.

The Rays have enjoyed moderate success in recent trips to Houston, going 5-3 in their past eight at Minute Maid Park.

Rays vs Astros Probable Starting Pitchers

Fresh off a three-game sweep of the visiting Los Angeles Angels, the Astros enter Tuesday’s action looking to pad their nine-game lead atop the AL West with their eighth win in nine outings.

While Houston has endured some recent struggles on the road, the club has been dominant at home, going 21-3 in 24 contests since late June, and posting eight straight series wins on home turf.

I'm excited for tonight's Astros game! It's Justin Verlander (15-5, 2.77 ERA) vs. Charlie Morton (13-5, 2.85 ERA). What a premier pitching matchup. If Houston can sweep Tampa Bay with Verlander, Cole and Greinke they'll win 7 games in a row and have an MLB best 52-16 home record.

— DreamTeamApple 🍎 (@DreamTeamApple1) August 27, 2019

The Astros have effectively shut down visiting hitters during their extend surge on home turf, allowing just 2.83 runs per game over their past 24 home dates, a number that is inflated by an 11-10 victory over the Angels back on July 7.

Houston hitters have shown no mercy during that stretch, cracking double-digit run totals on six occasions, and piling up 6.75 runs per game during the club’s current 4-0 run.

Pick: Astros (-335)

Additional MLB Series Odds