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Cubs look for answers against Astros

Aug 6, 2007 - 1:32 PM Chicago Cubs (58-52) at Houston (48-63) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs may have lost more than just a game in the standings on Sunday.

The Cubs will be without All-Star outfielder Alfonso Soriano on Monday when they open a three-game series against the Houston Astros.

Soriano suffered a right quadriceps injury while rounding second base in Sunday's 8-3 loss to the New York Mets. Chicago manager Lou Piniella was resigned to the fact that he may be without his leadoff hitter for some time.

"It's at least two weeks, probably more than that," Piniella said. "We are not going to see him anytime soon, that's for sure."

The bad news may not stop there, as the Cubs face one of the majors' stingiest pitchers at home. Wandy Rodriguez (7-10, 4.72 ERA) is second in baseball in home ERA (1.76) - trailing only San Diego's Chris Young in that category - and has won his last four home starts on his way to a 6-2 mark at Minute Maid Park.

In six lifetime starts versus the Cubs, Rodriguez is 2-4 with a 6.09 ERA.

The Cubs counter with another tough lefthander, Rich Hill (6-6, 3.67), who has not received a decision in his last three outings since defeating the San Francisco Giants on July 16.

One of those no-decisions came in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over Philadelphia, when he allowed four runs - three earned - over 4 2/3 innings.

The Cubs have lost three of their last four contests and trail the first-place Milwaukee Brewers (60-52) by one game in the National League Central Division.