Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer and Framber Valdez tossed six shutout innings, and the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0.

The Astros are projected as a close favorite (-112 moneyline odds to win) against the Cubs (-107). The matchup on the mound for this contest is set with the Houston Astros looking to Brandon Walter (0-1), and Cade Horton (3-1) taking the ball for the Chicago Cubs.

The Chicago Cubs faced the Houston Astros this past weekend for the first time since this offseason's massive trade, which obviously causes some reflection on t

The Houston Astros look to bounce back behind Framber Valdez against the Chicago Cubs as six-game homestand ends.

A battle of first-place teams continues Saturday night in Houston, where the AL West-leading Astros host the NL East-leading Chicago Cubs.

Kyle Tucker faces his old team, the Houston Astros, for the first time since being traded to the Chicago Cubs. How does that trade look about six months later?

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros begin a three-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Houston has a 30-13 record in home games and a 48-33 record overall. Astros pitchers have a collective 3.41 ERA, which ranks second in the AL.

The Houston Astros, coming off a three-game sweep of the Phillies in which the pitching staff allowed one run, turn their attention to the Chicago Cubs, who feature a pair of former local stars ...