Game of the day: Cubs at Astros
Jeff Mason
Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros
The line: The Astros are listed as –160 favorites.
The total: The game is set at 7 1/2 runs.
Perfect Strangers
The Houston Astros proved their offense had some pop on Monday night in a 12-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs as -110 favorites.
"That might be just a function of guys getting better pitches to hit. But I think more so there was just kind of a frustration going on. Certainly with me there was. I was extremely frustrated about the last two days.” Morgan Ensberg told the Houston Chronicle after two straight shutout losses to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
It was a victory over Greg Maddux and the very same Chicago Cubs that began Houston’s meteoric rise from the basement of the NL Central.
Mired in a 15-30 start, the Astros 5-1 victory on May 25 as +148 underdogs catalyzed the team on a successful summer run that has seen Houston climb back into the National League playoff hunt. Houston currently holds a ½-game lead in the wild card race.
Almost three months removed from their last meeting, Houston brings a red-hot Andy Pettitte to the hill to once again square off against Greg Maddux, hoping to rekindle the vibes that sent them on their run to the top.
Still got it?
Tuesday’s marquee pitching matchup features two pitchers well known for their pinpoint accuracy. Despite these similarities, Maddux and Pettitte seem to be moving in opposite directions. Pettitte has compiled a record of 7-1 in his last 10 games, with the ‘Stros going 8-2 in that span. Conversely, Maddux sports a 3-5 record in his last 10 games, with the Cubs going 3-7 overall.
Pettitte has been money for bettors this year, earning 2.7 units in his 23 starts. Maddux, reaching the pinnacle of this career at age 39, has left questions as to his ability to pitch at the level he once did.
Fatigue concerns
Maddux was great last Thursday against the Cardinals, but bettors may be wary of the 39-year-old’s stamina holding up after a 114-pitch complete-game performance as he takes the hill tonight.
"I know everyone was rooting for Greg to have that complete game the other day," Dusty Baker told Daily Southtown. "But I`m a bit concerned about how it`s going to affect him. That was my concern at that point."
Maddux has cost bettors more than six units in 25 starts.
On a roll
As an Astro, Pettitte has had mixed success against the Cubs, allowing four runs in nine cumulative innings, while helping the over to cash in both starts.
However, that was last year, when Pettitte was plagued with nagging elbow pains that eventually resulted in season ending surgery.
This year, according to MLB.com, six of Pettitte’s eight losses were considered "quality starts" – meaning he allowed three or fewer runs over six or more innings. His ERA in eight losses is a respectable 4.61. In his 10 wins, his ERA is 1.31. And he hasn`t allowed more than three earned runs in any outing since mid-June.
Such a statistic is as much a tribute to Pettitte’s prowess on the mound this year as it is Houston’s futility at the plate.
Oddsmakers can’t set this total low enough, as both teams have been playing under all year. The under is 58-52-8 in Chicago’s games, while Houston sports an even more favorable 65-47-5 record.
Production definit-Lee needed
The Chicago Cubs success this year has been harmonious with that of breakout superstar, Derrek Lee.
Lee’s two home runs during Thursday’s 11-4 victory over St. Louis broke him out of a 4-for-24 slump in which he had only one home run and one run batted in. The Cubs lost all six of those games.
Lee has struggled this year against Houston, batting only .222 with one home run in 18 at bats. He is further disadvantaged by his .205 career average at Minute Maid Park, and his .240 batting average in August.
Jeff Mason
Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros
The line: The Astros are listed as –160 favorites.
The total: The game is set at 7 1/2 runs.
Perfect Strangers
The Houston Astros proved their offense had some pop on Monday night in a 12-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs as -110 favorites.
"That might be just a function of guys getting better pitches to hit. But I think more so there was just kind of a frustration going on. Certainly with me there was. I was extremely frustrated about the last two days.” Morgan Ensberg told the Houston Chronicle after two straight shutout losses to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
It was a victory over Greg Maddux and the very same Chicago Cubs that began Houston’s meteoric rise from the basement of the NL Central.
Mired in a 15-30 start, the Astros 5-1 victory on May 25 as +148 underdogs catalyzed the team on a successful summer run that has seen Houston climb back into the National League playoff hunt. Houston currently holds a ½-game lead in the wild card race.
Almost three months removed from their last meeting, Houston brings a red-hot Andy Pettitte to the hill to once again square off against Greg Maddux, hoping to rekindle the vibes that sent them on their run to the top.
Still got it?
Tuesday’s marquee pitching matchup features two pitchers well known for their pinpoint accuracy. Despite these similarities, Maddux and Pettitte seem to be moving in opposite directions. Pettitte has compiled a record of 7-1 in his last 10 games, with the ‘Stros going 8-2 in that span. Conversely, Maddux sports a 3-5 record in his last 10 games, with the Cubs going 3-7 overall.
Pettitte has been money for bettors this year, earning 2.7 units in his 23 starts. Maddux, reaching the pinnacle of this career at age 39, has left questions as to his ability to pitch at the level he once did.
Fatigue concerns
Maddux was great last Thursday against the Cardinals, but bettors may be wary of the 39-year-old’s stamina holding up after a 114-pitch complete-game performance as he takes the hill tonight.
"I know everyone was rooting for Greg to have that complete game the other day," Dusty Baker told Daily Southtown. "But I`m a bit concerned about how it`s going to affect him. That was my concern at that point."
Maddux has cost bettors more than six units in 25 starts.
On a roll
As an Astro, Pettitte has had mixed success against the Cubs, allowing four runs in nine cumulative innings, while helping the over to cash in both starts.
However, that was last year, when Pettitte was plagued with nagging elbow pains that eventually resulted in season ending surgery.
This year, according to MLB.com, six of Pettitte’s eight losses were considered "quality starts" – meaning he allowed three or fewer runs over six or more innings. His ERA in eight losses is a respectable 4.61. In his 10 wins, his ERA is 1.31. And he hasn`t allowed more than three earned runs in any outing since mid-June.
Such a statistic is as much a tribute to Pettitte’s prowess on the mound this year as it is Houston’s futility at the plate.
Oddsmakers can’t set this total low enough, as both teams have been playing under all year. The under is 58-52-8 in Chicago’s games, while Houston sports an even more favorable 65-47-5 record.
Production definit-Lee needed
The Chicago Cubs success this year has been harmonious with that of breakout superstar, Derrek Lee.
Lee’s two home runs during Thursday’s 11-4 victory over St. Louis broke him out of a 4-for-24 slump in which he had only one home run and one run batted in. The Cubs lost all six of those games.
Lee has struggled this year against Houston, batting only .222 with one home run in 18 at bats. He is further disadvantaged by his .205 career average at Minute Maid Park, and his .240 batting average in August.
