Cubs scouting report

Posted June 29, 2012 7:30 am

Cubs vs. Houston Astros at Wrigley Field

TV: WGN Friday and Saturday; Comcast SportsNet Sunday

Radio: WGN 720-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs’ Paul Maholm (4-6) vs. Bud Norris (5-4) Friday at 1:20 p.m.; Matt Garza (3-6) vs. J.A. Happ (6-7) Saturday at 3:05 p.m.; Travis Wood (2-3) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (6-5) Sunday at 1:20 p.m.

At a glance: The Astros will come to town after playing a Thursday night game at home against the Padres. They entered the day fifth in the NL Central, 6 games ahead of the last-place Cubs. In mid-May, the Cubs went to Houston and got swept in three as part of a 12-game losing streak. The Cubs have seen plenty of lefty Rodriguez, with a mixed bag of success. Jeff Baker is 10-for-23 vs. Rodriguez, but Alfonso Soriano is just 4-for-38. Jed Lowrie led the Astros in home runs (14) and OBP (. 355) entering Thursday while Jose Altuve led in batting average (. 309) and hits (88). The Astros were 14th in team ERA (4.40) while the Cubs were 15th (4.53). Happ also is a lefty, and the Cubs are 4-17 against left-handed starters.

Next: Atlanta Braves at Turner Field, Monday-Thursday

— Bruce Miles

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