Chicago Cubs AT Houston Astros
April 12, 2011 at 8:05 PM EST
Opening Runline: HOU -1.5 +160, CUB +1.5 -180
Current Runline: HOU -1.5 +170, CUB +1.5 -205
Opening Moneyline: HOU -135, CUB +115
Current Moneyline: HOU -120, CUB +110
Opening Total: 8
Current Total: 8
SP: CUB- J. Russell, HOU- B. Myers
Despite some dominant performances so far, Houston’s Brett Myers has yet to record a decision. In two starts and a total of 13 1/3rd innings pitched, Myers has recorded a 2.03 ERA and has only given up one home run. Last game he held the hot Reds team to only 6 hits and 2 runs in 6 1/3rd innings, as the Astros won 3-2, notching their first victory of the young season.
“How good was Myers again?,” manager Brad Mills(notes) told the Astros’ official website. “You’ve got to love the way he battled all the way through.”
As good as Myers has been so far, he’s been even better against the Cubs. In 9 starts against the Cubs, Myers has gone 8-0 with a 2.12 ERA. In the only non-decision, he held them to 1 run over seven innings. And last season, he went 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA. This, undoubtedly is why Vegas oddsmakers have set the line in Houston’s favor, despite the Cubs 5-5 record being superior to the Astros 2-8 record.
Taking the mound for Chicago is a replacement pitcher in James Russell, who has only pitched 2 reserve innings so far. He’s not expected to be on the mound long, but is just a temporary fix while Andrew Cashner heals from injury. Also missing games due to injury is outfielder Kosuke Fukudome. His replacement Starlin Castro hit 3 for 5 in his absense, thus bringing his season batting average up to .364. Also hot that day was Darwin Barney, who had 2 hits for the second straight game.
“The kids did really, really well,” manager Mike Quade said of the duo. “I liked watching them. It’s fun to watch them. They feed off of each other, and they play with enthusiasm.”
Castro’s dominance probably won’t carry over in to today’s matchup, however. He is 2 for 12 lifetime against Myers and Aramis Ramirez & Alfanso Soriano have combined to hit 14 of 67 with 24 strikeouts against Myers. The Cubs have won 3 of the last 4 in Houston, but will be up against a difficult proposition in Brett Myers and his Cub-dominance.
Some betting trends:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the Chicago Cubs’ last 6 games and the total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 6 on the road. The Cubs are 13-4 SU in their last 17 on the road and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of the Cubs’ last 7 games against the Astros.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston’s last 10 games and the Astros are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games. The Astros are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games at home and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of the last 7 games against the Chicago Cubs.
HOT HITTERS:
Chicago Cubs:
Starlin Castro: .364 BA (16 of 44), .500 SLG, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 1 SB
Alfanso Soriano: .278 BA (10 of 36), .556 SLG, 7 RBIs, 3 HRs, .871 OPS
Houston Astros:
Angel Sanchez: .342 BA (13 of 38), 1 HR, 1 double, 6 RBIs, 1 SB
Hunter Pence: .293 BA (12 for 41), 1 HR, 3 doubles, 5 RBIs
Given Brett Myers’ dominance I have trouble seeing the Cubs winning this game. A moneyline bet on the Astros seems to be a strong bet.
