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Astros-Cubs Preview

Jul 19, 2010 - 4:44 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Houston (37-54) at Chicago (41-51), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Cubs have enjoyed some success at the plate recently, but sustaining it will require improved play against their own division.

The Cubs play the first of nine straight against NL Central rivals when they open a three-game series with the Houston Astros on Monday.

Chicago (42-51) took three of four from Philadelphia over the weekend, opening the series with a 12-6 win Thursday and closing with an 11-6 victory Sunday - the Cubs' seventh win in 11 games.

They homered twice off Roy Halladay and finished with 14 hits, including three each by Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro.

"That's what we have to do - be very aggressive against a good pitcher because we have a good lineup," said Alfonso Soriano, who had five hits in the series including two homers.

Chicago has averaged 6.1 runs in its last 11 contests - up significantly from its previous average of 3.8 per game.

Despite the recent success, the Cubs remain 9 1/2 games behind NL Central-leading St. Louis, which visits Wrigley Field next weekend.

To close the gap, Chicago will have to improve upon its 15-25 record against the NL Central, including a 2-4 mark against Houston.

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez went 0 for 7 in the final two games against the Phillies, but is still hitting .400 in his last 10.

For the Cubs to continue their recent success it would also help if Carlos Silva (9-3, 3.45 ERA) could reverse his decline.

Silva opened the season 8-0 with a 2.93 ERA, but is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in his last six starts - five of them losses for the Cubs. He allowed six runs and six hits in 1 1-3 innings of a 7-0 loss to the Dodgers on July 10, when he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

The right-hander's terrific start to 2010 included a 7-2 win over the Astros on April 16, when he limited Houston to two unearned runs in seven innings.

Houston (37-55) dropped two of three at league-worst Pittsburgh over the weekend, including a 9-0 loss Sunday, when Roy Oswalt left after four innings with a bruised left ankle and the Astros totaled three hits - all singles - and failed to get a runner in scoring position.

The loss was the fifth in six road games for Houston. Three of those defeats were shutouts.

"We're disappointed, but the good thing is we got tomorrow, and tomorrow's a new day and we go play hard," Angel Sanchez, who had two hits, told the Astros' official website.

Houston probable starter Wandy Rodriguez (6-11, 4.97) will seek to bounce back from his last start - a 4-2 loss to St. Louis that snapped a personal three-start winning streak. He allowed three runs in six innings.

Rodriguez gave up two runs in seven innings of a 3-2, 10-inning win over the Cubs on June 18. The left-hander has a 1.67 ERA in his last four outings against Chicago, but hasn't earned a decision in any of them.

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee is 14 for 32 with three homers and three doubles versus Rodriguez.