As the Chicago Cubs prepare to face off against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field, fans are eager to see if their team can reverse recent trends and secure a victory. The upcoming game, scheduled for April 24th at 6:40 PM local time, will be broadcast on SCHN and promises to be an intriguing matchup.

May 16, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a RBI single against the Chicago Cubs in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs have had a challenging stretch in their last few games. Despite showing potential with a solid performance in their second-to-last game where they secured a win with five runs on seven hits, they've been struggling overall. Their most recent outing resulted in a loss against the Miami Marlins, where they were outplayed both offensively and defensively. The Marlins tallied six runs on eleven hits compared to the Cubs' three runs on eight hits.

Analyzing past performances reveals some areas of concern for the Cubs. Their batting average has been hovering around .222 to .241 over these games, which suggests that hitting consistency is an issue that needs addressing. Additionally, while their bullpen showed resilience with an ERA of 0.0 in one game, it spiked to 4.154 in another – indicating some volatility in pitching performance.

May 16, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Chas McCormick (20) hits a RBI double against there Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

On-base percentages (OBP) have also varied significantly from .278 to .313 across these matches; this inconsistency could prove costly against an Astros team known for its strong pitching staff.

Fielding has been another area where improvement is needed; one error was committed during this period which may not seem significant but can change the course of close games like those we've seen recently.

May 16, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Corey Julks (9) hits a double against there Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The venue itself might play into how both teams approach this game – Wrigley Field's unique conditions often impact play differently than other stadiums due to factors such as wind direction and speed which can affect ball trajectory.

As we look ahead to this clash between two talented teams, all eyes will be on whether or not the Cubs can leverage home-field advantage and refine their gameplay across all areas – hitting more consistently, tightening up fielding efforts and finding stability within their pitching staff – as they aim for success against the formidable Houston Astros.

Remember fans; catch your Chicago Cubs taking on the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field on April 24th at 6:40 PM CST live on SCHN!

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