Cubs-Astros Lines Preview

 The division rival Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are set to renew hostilities on Thursday when they meet at Minute Maid Park.

The Cubs will give the ball to starter Ryan Dempster in this one. Righthander Dempster is 4-3 this season with a 4.12 ERA.

It’ll be Russ Ortiz toeing the rubber for the Astros in this contest. Righthander Ortiz is 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 147-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Geoff Blum drove in both runs to help the Astros defeat the Cubs 2-1 on Wednesday, as +100 underdogs. The team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).

Chris Sampson improved to 3-0 with the win, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings.

Geovany Soto homered for the Cubs, who had been -120 favorites. Angel Guzman gave up the winning run and was saddled with the loss.

Team records:
Chicago: 29-27 SU
Houston: 26-31 SU

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Houston are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Houston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Arizona are 2-8
After playing Chi Cubs are 4-6
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games
Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Chi Cubs’s last 18 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Houston’s last 18 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games
Houston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games

Next up:
Chi Cubs home to Minnesota, Friday, June 12
Houston at Arizona, Friday, June 12

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