Houston Astros (29-47) at Chicago Cubs (30-43), 1:20 pm (CT)

Houston at Chicago (NL), 3:05 pm (CT)

TV: CSN Houston, WGN
Radio: KBME 790 AM
Cubs SBNation Blog: Bleed Cubbie Blue

Pitching Match

RHP Jordan Lyles (4-1 /3.22 ERA / 1.52 WHIP) vs. RHP Jeff Samardzija (4-7 / 3.35 ERA / 1.19 WHIP)

Preview

The winds of luck have swayed in both team's favor is Chicago. Today, the Astros shouldn't need any luck with Jordan Lyles on the mound. Lyles in his last 7 starts this season, has posted 5 quality starts. In May alone, Lyles has collected a 1.69 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and only 4 walks. Lyles collected a win in his only start against the Cubs last season, he pitched 5 innings of scoreless baseball. Dioner Navarro is the only Cub with any success against Lyles in his carrer, he is 1-2 with a homerun and 2 runs batted in.

Jeff Samardzija, the former Notre Dame wide receiver, finally appears to have made the right choice in baseball. Samardzija is in his second season as a member of the Cubs starting rotation. In May, the Cubs right-hander was dominate with 2.31 ERA and 33 strike outs in 5 starts. Move forward to this month, Samardzija has allowed a few crocked numbers against Pirates (4) and Reds (5), before pitching 8 1/3 innings of two-run baseball agasint the Cardinals. Samardzija was 1-1 in starts against the Astros in 2012, allowing only three runs over 13 innings. Jose Altuve is 0-for-7 lifetime against today's Cubs starter, while J.D. Martinez is 2-for-3 with 2 runs batted in.