Astros-Cubs Pointers

A winning streak will be on the line for the Houston Astros on Monday when they battle the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Astros will trot ace Roy Oswalt out to the mound in this one. Righthander Oswalt has a 12-9 record and a 4.11 ERA this season. Oswalt's opponent in this one will be Jason Marquis. The Cubs righthander has a 4.52 ERA to go along with a 9-7 record this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Astros were out-hit on Sunday, but came away with a 3-0 shutout over the Cardinals. The Astros won that game as +100 underdogs, while the three runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (9). Ty Wigginton hit a two-run dinger for the Astros. Wandy Rodriguez tossed 5 2-3 shutout innings to post the victory. The Cubs were defeated 5-3 by the Phillies last time out, as -130 favorites. The eight runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (9.5). Geovany Soto had three hits in four trips to the plate for the Cubs. Sean Marshall gave up five runs off nine hits over 5 1-3 innings in the loss. Current streak: Houston has won 5 straight games. Chicago has lost 2 straight games. Team records: Houston: 71-66 SU Chicago: 85-52 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Monday are 2-8 Before playing Chi Cubs are 7-3 After playing St. Louis are 3-7 After a win are 6-4 Chicago most recently: When playing on Monday are 6-4 Before playing Houston are 5-5 After playing Philadelphia are 5-5 After a loss are 8-2 A few trends to consider: Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Houston's last 15 games when playing Chi Cubs The total has gone OVER in 9 of Houston's last 13 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Houston Chi Cubs are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games Next up: Chi Cubs home to Houston, Tuesday, September 2