Astros-Cubs Pointspread Pointers

The division rival Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs are set to renew hostilities on Wednesday when they meet at Wrigley Field. Righthander Brandon Backe will take the mound for the Astros to start this game. Backe is 6-10 this season with a 4.72 ERA. Starting this game for the Cubs will be Jason Marquis. The righthander has a 4.68 ERA to go along with a 6-7 record this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 190-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Alfonso Soriano homered and drove in four runs on Tuesday afternoon to lead the Cubs to an 11-7 win over the Astros. The Cubs were winners as -250 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went well OVER the day's posted total (7). Derrek Lee had four hits and scored twice in the win for Chicago. Ty Wigginton, Geoff Blum, and Carlos Lee all homered in a losing cause for Houston. Team records: Houston: 54-58 SU Chicago: 68-46 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Wednesday are 5-5 Before playing Cincinnati are 7-3 After playing Chi Cubs are 4-6 After a loss are 5-5 Chicago most recently: When playing on Wednesday are 5-5 Before playing St. Louis are 5-5 After playing Houston are 6-4 After a win are 6-4 A few trends to consider: Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games Houston is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs Houston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road Houston is 3-9 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs Chi Cubs are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games Chi Cubs are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against Houston Chi Cubs are 17-8 SU in their last 25 games at home Chi Cubs are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing Houston Next up: Houston at Cincinnati, Thursday, August 7 Chi Cubs home to St. Louis, Friday, August 8