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Heart of Cubs' lineup searches for consistent offense

Apr 5, 2008 - 1:12 PM Houston (2-3) at Chicago Cubs (1-3) 1:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs expected three of the first hitters in their order to carry the offense. So far, however, the only player swinging a hot bat is the man batting right behind them - Kosuke Fukudome.

The top third of the Cubs' lineup hopes to get going on Saturday as they meet the Houston Astros in the middle game of a three-game set.

While Fukudome is off to a good start, hitting .500 (6-for-12), the trio of bats expected to carry the offense - Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez - are hitting a combined .148 (7-for-48) through four games.

Jason Marquis, who went 12-9 for a 4.60 ERA last season, will take the mound on Saturday hoping to benefit from an offensive revival. The righthander had very little success last season against Houston, going 1-1 with a 6.10 ERA in four starts.

Getting consistent run production hasn't been the Astros' strong suit either. They have scored no more than two runs in any of their three losses.

Roy Oswalt (0-1, 5.06 ERA) makes his second start for Houston after the Astros were shutout in his first game of the season, 4-0, against San Diego.

The righthander surrendered three runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings on Opening Day.