SBG Global Current Line: Astros PK, Total 7.5 Under (-125)

The Cubs have a new leadoff man for the next month or so until Alfonso Soriano gets back from injury. Ryan Theriot takes over the leadoff spot and will need to continue to get on base. "I just keep my same approach," said Theriot, "I just don't have the luxury of having [Soriano] on second base. You keep the same approach. I've said this before, you're only the leadoff batter once. I've hit in that spot plenty in the past to feel comfortable."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said expects that Theriot will be in the leadoff spot until Soriano returns. The outfield may change a bit now.  Eric Patterson was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Monday. On Monday, Matt Murton was in left, Angel Pagan in center and Mark DeRosa in right against lefty Wandy Rodriguez. Against right-handers, Patterson could start in left, Jacque Jones in center and Cliff Floyd in right. "When you lose such a big part of your ballclub, a lot of people have to step up," Theriot said.

"We can do different things," Piniella said. "I'm just not exactly sure what right now. Let's see it for a few days."

Here were the betting statistics heading into Tuesday’s action.  The Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road underdog. The Cubs are 10-2 in their last 12 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 Wednesday games. The Cubs are 7-2 in their last 9 games as an underdog. The Cubs are 22-7 in their last 29 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Cubs are 18-7 in their last 25 vs. a team with a losing record. The Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 vs. the National League Central. The Cubs are 1-4 in their last 5 overall. The Cubs are 10-1 in Zambrano's last 11 starts as a road underdog. The Cubs are 5-1 in Zambrano's last 6 starts vs. the National League Central. The Cubs are 14-3 in Zambrano's last 17 starts as an underdog. The Cubs are 4-1 in Zambrano's last 5 starts. The Cubs are 23-7 in Zambrano's last 30 road starts. The Cubs are 11-4 in Zambrano's last 15 Wednesday starts. The Cubs are 4-0 in Zambrano's last 4 starts vs. the Astros. The Cubs are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Houston.

The Astros are 6-1 in their last 7 games as a home favorite. The Astros are 8-3 in their last 11 games as a favorite. The Astros are 5-2 in their last 7 home games. The Astros are 9-4 in their last 13 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Astros are 3-9 in their last 12 vs. the National League Central. The Astros are 1-9 in their last 10 Wednesday games. The Astros are 6-1 in Oswalt's last 7 starts. The Astros are 41-13 in Oswalt's last 54 home starts. The Astros are 24-8 in Oswalt's last 32 Wednesday starts. The Astros are 36-16 in Oswalt's last 52 starts vs. the National League Central. The Astros are 2-5 in Oswalt's last 7 home starts vs. the Cubs.

The Over is 4-1-1 in the Cubs last 6 games as an underdog. The Under is 8-2 in the Cubs last 10 Wednesday games. The Over is 4-1-3 in the Cubs last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 6-2-1 in the Cubs last 9 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 12-4-1 in the Cubs last 17 road games. The Under is 7-0 in Zambrano's last 7 road starts. The Under is 6-0 in Zambrano's last 6 starts vs. the National League Central. The Over is 7-2 in Zambrano's last 9 starts as an underdog. The Under is 9-3 in Zambrano's last 12 starts overall. The Over is 5-2 in Zambrano's last 7 starts as a road underdog. The Under is 7-0 in Zambrano's last 7 road starts vs. the Astros.

The Over is 7-1 in the Astros last 8 overall. The Over is 4-1 in the Astros last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 4-1 in the Astros last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 6-2 in the Astros last 8 Wednesday games. The Over is 13-5-1 in the Astros last 19 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 10-4-1 in the Astros last 15 games as a home favorite. The Over is 19-9-1 in the Astros last 29 home games. The Over is 5-1-1 in Oswalt's last 7 starts as a home favorite. The Over is 9-3-1 in Oswalt's last 13 starts overall. The Under is 18-7 in Oswalt's last 25 Wednesday starts. The Under is 7-3 in Oswalt's last 10 starts vs. the National League Central. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Houston between the two teams.

Pick Cubs PK 4 units out of 5