Astros-Cubs Lines Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Tuesday when the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs meet at Wrigley Field. Ace righthander Roy Oswalt will take the mound for the Astros to start this game. Oswalt is 6-4 this season with a 3.66 ERA. Oswalt's opponent in this one will be Ryan Dempster. The Cubs righthander has a 4.09 ERA to go along with a 5-5 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 120-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Alfonso Soriano's walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 13th inning lifted the Cubs over the Astros 5-1 on Monday night. Chicago won as -140 home favorites as the teams played UNDER the 8.5-run total set by oddsmakers. Derrek Lee was 2-for-3 with a solo drive for the Cubs, while Jeff Samardzija picked up the win in relief of starter Carlos Zambrano for Chicago. Carlos Lee went 2-for-5 with a big fly for Houston, as Chris Sampson was hit with the loss after allowing Soriano's blast in the bottom of the 13th inning. Current streak: Houston has lost 3 straight games. Chicago has won 5 straight games. Team records: Houston: 50-49 SU Chicago: 52-45 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 5-5 Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6 After playing Chi Cubs are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4 Chicago most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 6-4 Before playing Houston are 7-3 After playing Houston are 2-8 After a win are 8-2 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Houston's last 25 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs Houston is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games Chi Cubs are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing Houston The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games at home Next up: Chi Cubs home to Houston, Wednesday, July 29