Houston at Chicago

The 2012 season won't include the post-season for either of these teams. Houston looked to be dramatically improved early in the season, on the heels of losing 106 a year ago, but the wheels have fallen back off. The Astros have lost three straight moving them to 10-23 over their last 33 games and their last 22 road games have been a disaster at 4-18. The Cubs are a bad team, but bad teams have good stretches during the long season and the Cubs are in their best groove yet, winning four of five for the first time this season. Houston is the worst underdog in baseball at 48-100 in their last 148 and an even worse 18-58 on the road. The Cubs are taking advantage of weak road teams, with a road winning percentage of less than .400 where they have taken five straight. Play on Chicago.