MLB Handicapping: Cubs vs Astros

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: The Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Minute Maid Park. The Cubs will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Ryan Dempster in this game. Dempster has a 3-5 record and a 3.72 ERA this season. Starting this game for the Astros will be ace Roy Oswalt. The righthander has a 2.78 ERA to go along with a 3-7 record this season. Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total. Lance Berkman drove in a pair of runs as the Astros got by the Cubs 3-1 on Friday. The Astros won that game as +107 underdogs, while the four runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8) set by sportsbooks. Felipe Paulino tossed eight innings for the win, allowing one run and five hits with seven strikeouts. Matt Lindstrom closed out the ninth for his 12th save. Carlos Zambrano gave up three earned runs off six hits over 4 1-3 innings in the loss. Current streak: Chicago has lost 4 straight games. Houston has won 4 straight games. Team records: Chicago: 24-30 SU Houston: 21-34 SU Chicago most recently: When playing on Saturday are 4-6 Before playing Houston are 4-6 After playing Houston are 4-6 After a loss are 5-5 Houston most recently: When playing on Saturday are 5-5 Before playing Chi Cubs are 5-5 After playing Chi Cubs are 5-5 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games on the road 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 The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs Next up: Houston home to Chi Cubs, Sunday, June 6 For winning point spread picks, Joe Duffy has his picks part of GodsTips, anchor of OffshoreInsiders.com A long-time veteran of the sports betting industry, Duffy got his start at Dial Sports 976 Dial It service and eventually became the most decorated scorephone handicapper in history.