Astros-Cubs Lines Preview

The Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at Wrigley Field. The Astros will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Wandy Rodriguez in this game. Rodriguez has a 10-6 record and a 2.72 ERA this season. Rodriguez's opponent in this one will be Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs ace righthander has a 3.48 ERA to go along with a 7-4 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Astros lost to the Mets 8-3 as a -150 favorite on Sunday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9). Carlos Lee was 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Houston, while Brian Moehler surrendered five runs on eight hits in 4 2-3 innings. The Cubs defeated Cincinnati 5-2 as a -230 favorite on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9.5). Kosuke Fukudome drove in a pair of runs for the Cubs, while Rich Harden allowed only one run on one hits with eight strikeouts in six innings in the win. Current streak: Houston has lost 2 straight games. Chicago has won 4 straight games. Team records: Houston: 50-48 SU Chicago: 51-45 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Monday are 6-4 Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6 After playing NY Mets are 6-4 After a loss are 7-3 Chicago most recently: When playing on Monday are 5-5 Before playing Houston are 7-3 After playing Cincinnati are 4-6 After a win are 7-3 A few trends to consider: Houston is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games Chi Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing Houston The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 10 games at home Next up: Chi Cubs home to Houston, Tuesday, July 28