Giants-Astros Pointers

The San Francisco Giants and the Houston Astros will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Minute Maid Park. Lefthander Jonathan Sanchez will take the mound for the Giants to start this game. Sanchez is 8-8 this season with a 4.64 ERA. It'll be Brandon Backe toeing the rubber for the Astros in this contest. Righthander Backe is 6-11 with a 5.35 ERA so far this season. NewBodog oaddsmakers currently have the Astros listed as 137-moneyline favorites versus the Giants, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 5-4 as a +120 underdog on Sunday. The nine runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (7). Randy Winn was 3-4 with three RBI for the Giants, while Matt Cain gave up four runs on six hits in seven innings The Astros defeated Cincinnati 13-4 as a +125 underdog on Sunday. The 17 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9). Michael Bourn homered and had four RBI for Houston, while Geoff Blum was 3-5 with a home run and three runs scored in the win. Current streak: San Francisco has won 2 straight games. Houston has won 4 straight games. Team records: San Francisco: 50-66 SU Houston: 58-59 SU San Francisco most recently: When playing on Monday are 4-6 Before playing Houston are 6-4 After playing LA Dodgers are 5-5 After a win are 4-6 Houston most recently: When playing on Monday are 3-7 Before playing San Francisco are 6-4 After playing Cincinnati are 8-2 After a win are 8-2 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Francisco's last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Francisco's last 11 games San Francisco is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Houston San Francisco is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing at home against San Francisco Next up: Houston home to San Francisco, Tuesday, August 12