Houston @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2010 ) Houston 7, Chi. Cubs 3
The Houston Astros look to continue their hot streak Wednesday with a starting pitcher who loves pitching against the Chicago Cubs.
Brett Myers (10-7, 3.02), who climbs the hill today for Houston, has a lifetime record of 7-0 with a 2.36 ERA in eight starts against the Cubs, including a 2-0 mark with a 1.59 ERA this season against Chicago.
Myers hasn’t lost since dropping a 5-2 decision at Milwaukee on Aug. 7 and he hasn’t allowed more than four runs in a start since he gave up seven runs against the Milwaukee Brewers back on June 29. Myers has 149 strikeouts and 55 walks over 191 innings.
He heads into today’s matchup looking to keep Houston’s hot streak going following Tuesday night’s 7-3 victory.
Nelson Figueroa allowed three runs on six hits before four Houston relievers combined to shut the door after he left. Center fielder Michael Bourn was on base all night long, missing a home run for the cycle while knocking in three runs. Bourn also stole a base and scored a pair of runs and 24-year-old first baseman Brett Wallace hit his first career homer of his.
The Astros (65-73) have won 12 of their last 16 games but are still 14 games back of the National League Central-leading Cincinnati Reds.
The Cubs (60-79) answer with Randy Wells (6-12, 4.56 ERA). Wells has been up and down all year long and comes into today’s game having won just one of his last eight starts.
He took a no-decision in a 7-6 win over the New York Mets in his last start, giving up four runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings while striking out four and walking four. He wasn’t happy with the way he was finishing off pitches and has had major problems getting out of the early innings this season.
Wells has allowed 21 runs in the first inning this year. He is 2-2 with a 2.56 lifetime ERA against Houston.
Chicago hasn’t lost back-to-back games under interim manager Mike Quade, who is 9-5 overall since he took over from Lou Piniella.
Quade wouldn’t say whether or not Starlin Castro would start today after being benched for not knowing how many outs there were in a base-running gaffe on Sunday.
The Astros have won five of their last seven games against the Cubs.