Houston @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2010 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Houston 8
The Houston Astros understand that a poor start to the year will keep them on the outside looking in for the postseason.
With that said, they’re making the best of the situation as they visit the Chicago Cubs for the first contest of a three-game series on Monday.
Houston (64-72) heads into the game having won 11 of its last 14, which included a three-game sweep over the St. Louis Cardinals and two more wins during last weekend’s three-game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Astros’ pitching staff has played a big role in the club’s current streak, posting a 1.94 team ERA over its last 14 games.
Wandy Rodriguez (11-12, 3.71 ERA) gets the call Monday as he looks to build on a pair of fantastic starts on his record.
The lefty, who has won two straight, has allowed only one run in his last 14 innings and just outdueled Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter in a 3-0 win. Rodriguez pitched seven scoreless frames while striking out five and walking two in that one.
Rodriguez leads the team in wins and has 138 strikeouts in 162 2/3 innings. He is 3-0 with a 2.76 ERA in his last nine games against the Cubs.
Chicago (59-78) has been trying to close out the year on a high note as well. The Cubs took two of three from the New York Mets over the weekend, but are coming off a nasty 18-5 loss on Sunday. Chicago is 8-4 since Mike Quade took over as interim manager.
The Cubs will get another look at rookie Casey Coleman (1-1, 5.76 ERA) on Monday.
Coleman picked up his first career win against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 23. He followed that up with a no-decision in a 7-5 loss at the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds in his last outing, giving up four runs over six innings while striking out two.
Coleman hopes Chicago’s hot offense keeps it going. The Cubs have scored at least five runs in seven straight games, but may be without one of their hottest bats on Monday.
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez is listed as day-to-day after leaving Sunday’s game with a strained quad. He was hitting .339 with five homers over his last 19 games.
Xavier Nady may be able to pick up the slack if Ramirez sits. Nady is hitting .386 over his last 12 games.
The Astros have taken eight of the 12 meetings between the two clubs and are 4-2 at Wrigley Field.