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Cubs-Astros Preview

Oct 1, 2010 - 3:59 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Chicago (72-86) at Houston (75-83), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Cubs late-season surge has them feeling confident about 2011. Their bullpen may be providing the biggest lift.

The Cubs look to continue their strong play when they visit the Houston Astros in the opener of a season-ending three-game series Friday night.

Chicago (73-86) will miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season after winning the NL Central in 2007 and '08.

However, the Cubs have gone 22-12 under interim manager Mike Quade, who replaced Lou Piniella following his retirement in August.

Chicago's surge continued by taking three of four at San Diego with a 1-0 win Thursday, severely damaging the Padres' playoff hopes.

The bullpen has been a major reason for the surprising run, compiling a 1.31 ERA while limiting opponents to .171 at the plate over the last 22 games. The relievers were among the worst in the majors with a collective 5.12 ERA prior to the stretch.

The Cubs' staff has surrendered three or fewer runs in 13 straight road games, the franchise's longest streak since 1920.

"You look at the progress the kids have made and, for me, you have to look at that as the strength of this club next year," Quade told the team's official website. "There's nothing like having a good bullpen when you're managing a club. Anybody sitting in this chair will tell you that. That's a really strong group of kids."

Rookie Casey Coleman (3-2, 4.68 ERA) has benefited from the improving bullpen, winning his last two starts with a 3.46 ERA while the relievers allowed three hits in five total scoreless innings.

The right-hander's teammates got him off the hook in his only meeting with Houston on Sept. 6. He surrendered four runs with a season-high five walks in six innings before Marcos Mateo, Andrew Cashner and Carlos Marmol shut out the Astros (75-84) the rest of way as the Cubs rallied for a 5-4 win.

Chicago has dropped 10 of 15 to the Astros this season, including four of six at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros have lost seven of nine overall after falling 9-1 at NL Central-champion Cincinnati on Thursday.

They also learned center fielder Michael Bourn will likely be out for the remainder of the season with a strained right oblique, which has sidelined him since Sept. 19. He leads the NL with 52 stolen bases

"Michael is better, but he's coming back very slowly," manager Brad Mills said. "It is looking like the chances are slimmer every day."

Mills will give the ball to Bud Norris (9-9, 5.00), who is trying to rebound from just his second defeat in 12 starts.

The right-hander allowed five runs in 4 2-3 innings of a 6-4 loss at Pittsburgh on Saturday after going 7-1 with a 3.52 ERA in his previous 11 contests.

That stretch started with an impressive performance in his only career start against the Cubs, an 8-1 home win July 28. Norris allowed one unearned run with seven strikeouts in six innings.