Houston @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2012 ) Houston 1, Chi. Cubs 7

The Chicago Cubs had fallen upon hard times of late, dropping 11 of 12 games, but they may have found a groove against the only team in baseball that has been worse lately. The Cubs’ 7-1 victory on Monday night was Houston’s 36th loss in its last 42 games, a drought that has anchored the Astros firmly at the bottom of the National League Central. Houston is 11-47 on the road, the worst mark in the majors, and is 0-4 at Wrigley Field. The home team has won all seven head-to-head meetings between the clubs this season.

Even with Monday’s seven-run outburst, the Cubs have scored fewer runs (421) than any team in baseball. A Houston offense that had shown flashes of potential early in the season has fallen flat, ranking just two spots above Chicago with 438 runs scored. Both pitching staffs have struggled - each bullpen has blown 16 of 37 save opportunities this season.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Houston (Houston), Comcast Sports Plus (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lucas Harrell (9-8, 3.97 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Chris Volstad (0-8, 6.94)

Despite Houston’s complete implosion over the last two months, Harrell has actually acquitted himself rather well, lowering his ERA by more than a run since mid-June and allowing more than two runs just once in his last nine starts. He hasn’t fared as well on the road, going 3-6 with a 5.50 ERA in 13 away starts. Harrell has faced the Cubs twice, both times in relief (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K).

The Cubs had lost all 10 of Volstad’s starts before prevailing against Cincinnati on Aug. 9, but the right-hander still remains winless with just three quality starts, having made it past the sixth inning just once all season. Volstad is 3-0 in five career starts against the Astros, but he may have a hard time continuing that streak when pitching at Wrigley Field, where he has a 7.45 ERA this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros are just 12-40 in their last 52 road games against teams with winning home records dating back to last season, and they have lost 57 of their last 71 games against right-handed starters.

2. Houston’s recent 4-34 skid was the worst stretch by any National League team since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders.

3. Astros OF Brandon Barnes hit his first major league home run on Monday, a pinch-hit solo shot off Jeff Samardzija in the sixth inning. Barnes is 2-for-9 over the first four games of his big league career.