The Chicago Cubs are really on song at the moment as they look set to pile on the wins against the Houston Astros, after blanking them out 12-0 in the previous game. They were absolutely dominant last night and the Houston batters were left clueless. Going into this game, the Cubs are 7-3 but the real impressive statistics are their home record. They have already won thirty two games at home, making Wrigley Park a fortress. For the Astros, they are just sitting comfortably in their middle of their division.

Russ Ortiz will start for the visitors in this game.He carries a 3-5 record in 2009 and is 3-5 in lifetime appearances against the Chicago ballclub. last time out though, he did only last 4 over innings in his outing vs the New York Mets and in total, it has been more than ten starts since he got his last victory. As for the Chicago Cubs, Kevin Hart is called back to the rotation after Ted Lily was placed on the disabled. This provides Hart a genuine chance to make a claim in this giant ballclub and given the way he has performed in his short appearances, he certainly looks promising. Go for the Chicago Cubs to put one more over their rivals as they hope to push further up the division in the second half of the season.

Pick: Chicago Cubs -1.5 @2.05