Cubs-Astros Pointers

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Monday when the Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros meet at Minute Maid Park.

Lefthander Ted Lilly will take the mound for the Cubs to start this game. Lilly is 4-4 this season with a 5.33 ERA.

Meanwhile, it'll be Brian Moehler who starts for the Astros. Righthander Moehler is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA so far this season.

NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 127-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

The Cubs defeated Pittsburgh 4-3 as a -165 favorite on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9).

Jason Marquis allowed two earned runs on four hits over six innings for the Cubs, while Kosuke Fukudome had an RBI and scored a run in the win.

The Astros defeated Houston 5-4 as a +115 underdog last time out. The nine runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (10.5).

Miguel Tejada was 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored for Houston, while Brandon Backe picked up the win after allowing three runs on five hits over six 1-3 innings.

Team records:
Chicago: 27-17 SU
Houston: 25-20 SU

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
Before playing Houston are 6-4
After playing Pittsburgh are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

Houston most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Chi Cubs are 5-5
After playing Texas are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing Houston
Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Houston
Houston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston's last 9 games at home

Next up:
Houston home to Chi Cubs, Tuesday, May 20

What are the biggest sports service plays in the industry? MasterLockLine.com gives you only the highest rated plays from the highest rated handicappers in their highest rated sports. You literally have the power of 620 sports services behind every selection