As much as I hate to admit it, I really believe the Cubbies are going to stay hot for the time being. They are in sole possession of first place in the NL Central, just easily swept the Cincinnati Reds under the rug and they've won 8 of 10 since the All-Star break. Only the Phillies can say they've played better baseball since the Midsummer Classic and go figure, the two games the North Siders dropped were in Philadelphia early last week. The Cubs are finally starting to get healthy (although they're not quite full strength) as Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez have hit their strides, Alfonso Soriano is hitting over .330 since moving to the sixth spot in the lineup and Kosuke Fukudome and Ryan Theriot are doing an exceptional job at setting the table at the top. And tonight their bull, Carlos Zambrano, gets the call against a team he has dominated as of late. Zambrano is 8-2 with a 2.81 ERA the last four seasons against Houston and in two starts already this season, he's 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA. Big Z has the 'Stros under his thumb and he'll be ready to mow the Houston hitters down tonight. Wandy Rodriguez (10-6, 2.72) has topped all expectations, although he's much more of an average pitcher on the road. He's 5-4 with a 3.43 ERA on the highway and in five career starts at Wrigley Field, Rodriguez is 1-3 with an astounding 8.25 marker. Vegas points to his impressive two outings against the Cubs this year, but I remind you -- they were both in Houston. I love the North Siders tonight as they look to continue their red-hot streak and build on their lead in the National League Central. Play the Cubs as Monday's top play winner.
Sam Clayton 7/27
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