Astros, Cubs wrap set at Wrigley Field

Baseball Betting Lines

09/08/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Astros have to be thinking about returning home for an extended period of time. But first they have to take care of business in the Windy City, as the Astros shoot for a series win over the Chicago Cubs tonight in the finale of a three-game set from Wrigley Field.

The Astros will begin a 10-game homestand following Wednesday's tilt with the NL Central-rival Cubs and are coming off last night's 7-3 win in which outfielder Michael Bourn contributed three hits, including a triple, three RBI and two runs scored. Brett Wallace homered for Houston, which rebounded from Monday's series-opening loss to win for the sixth time in eight tries.

Nelson Figueroa turned in five solid innings on the hill, allowing six hits and three runs while fanning five and walking three for the win. The righty threw 111 pitches, 76 for strikes.

"Figgy worked through those five innings, but had to use a lot of pitches to do it," Astros manager Brad Mills said.

Before the 'Stros close out a six-game trek through Arizona and Chicago, Brett Myers will toe the Wrigley rubber this evening with hopes of continuing his career dominance of the Cubs. Myers is 2-0 in three starts against them this season and 9-3 with a 2.38 earned run average in 16 lifetime matchups (12 starts) with Chicago.

The right-hander has won his last two decisions, but did not factor in the outcome of Friday's 4-3 loss at the Diamondbacks. Myers allowed three runs, seven hits and walked three batters over six innings to remain at 10-7 this season with a 3.02 ERA in 28 starts. He is only 4-7 in 16 road starts in his first season with the Astros.

Chicago entered Tuesday's second portion of this series having won four of five games. However, starter Carlos Silva wasn't so sharp in his first action since August 1 because of a heart condition and was touched for six runs and nine hits in five innings of work.

"It's late, but you hope he'll go through more activity and his arm strength will be better," Cubs manager Mike Quade said of Silva.

Tyler Colvin finished with two hits and a pair of RBI, while Marlon Byrd drove in the other run for the Cubs, who will hit the road for nine games against Milwaukee, St. Louis and Florida after hosting the Astros.

Randy Wells will try to send Chicago on the road in positive fashion when takes the mound Wednesday. Wells is 6-12 with a 4.56 earned run average in 28 starts this season and is coming off a no-decision versus the New York Mets last Friday. In the 7-6 victory at home, Wells allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Wells, a righty, is just 1-5 in his past six decisions and looks to build on his 3-7 home mark in 16 starts. He has lost both matchups with the Astros this season and owns a 2-2 record in five career starts against them.

Houston has got the better of the Cubs for much of this season, having taken nine of 14 meetings between the clubs in 2010.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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