Chicago Cubs (23-33) PK, o/u 9 at Houston Astros (27-31), 8 p.m. Eastern, WGN
by Ultimatecapper.com Staff
National League Central rivals clash when the Chicago Cubs go up against the Houston Astros in the second game of a 3-game series Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park.
Chicago has won five of its last seven games, taking two of three from both Cincinnati and St. Louis and winning the opener of this series 8-0 Monday night.
Houston has lost five games in a row and eight of its last 10.
The Astros sit in a tie for 3rd place in the NL Central, 8 ½ games back of the division-leading Cardinals. The Cubs are in 5th place in the division, 11 ½ back of St. Louis.
Chicago won the season series with Houston 9 games to 7 last year, with the over/going 6-10. This series is the first encounter between these teams this season.
The Cubs are 11-19 on the road this year, while the Astros are 18-13 at home.
Chicago’s oft-injured Wood (1-1, 4.50) has allowed 8 ER and 18 H+W in his last 16 IP. The Cubs are 1-2 in Wood’s starts this season, the o/u also 1-2. And Chicago is just 1-7 in Wood’s last eight starts vs. Houston.
In one start against the Astros last year, Wood gave up 3 ER and 6 H+W in 3 IP.
Houston lefty Rodriguez (6-3, 4.81) has been tagged for 19 ER and 27 hits in his last 16 2/3 IP, and he’s walked 18 batters in that span. The Astros are still 7-5 in games Rodriguez has started this year, the o/u 7-4.
In four starts vs. the Cubs last season, Rodriguez allowed 16 ER and 34 H+W in 23 2/3 IP.
Chicago ranks dead last in the NL with a .312 team OBP this season, and averages 4.1 runs per game. And that average drops to 3.4 RPG vs. left-handed pitching.
The Cubs had been having big problems scoring runs since 1B Derrek Lee went on the DL about 6 weeks ago, and Chicago is still just 14-28 since losing their big stick. But the Cubs have shown a little offensive spark recently, scoring 27 runs over their last four games.
The Astros own a .328 team OBP this year, which ranks 10th in the league, and average 4.5 RPG.
The Chicago bullpen has allowed 7 ER and 28 H+W in its last 18 2/3 IP.
The Houston pen has given up 11 ER and 27 H+W in its last 26 1/3 innings of work.
The o/u is 27-28 in Cubs games this season, 27-26 in Astros games, and 16-13 at Minute Maid Park.
The Ultimatecapper Pick: The Cubbies have been suspect vs. left handed pitching this year. We'll go with Wandy the dog here!
