Houston Astros (16-18) at Chicago Cubs (20-14), 2:20 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Houston - Brian Moehler (0-2, 8.44) Chicago - Randy Wells (0-0, 0.00)
Novice right-hander Randy Wells makes the second start of his big-league career with a chance to put his team in first place today when the Chicago Cubs host the Houston Astros in the first of three weekend games at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs enter the series a half-game out of the top spot in a jumbled National League Central Division, trailing Milwaukee and St. Louis and tied with Cincinnati.
Wells, who reached the majors with four relief appearances last season, took his 2009 bow on May 8 against the Brewers at Miller Park and was solid, scattering five hits in five scoreless innings to get a no-decision in a game the Cubs lost, 3-2.
He was sent to Triple-A Iowa of the Pacific Coast League in March and recalled in early May when staff ace Carlos Zambrano went on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.
He has never faced the Astros.
Countering for Houston will be 37-year-old righty Brian Moehler, a veteran of 287 major-league appearances and 219 starts.
The most recent outing for the North Carolina native came May 9 against San Diego, when he limited the Padres to five hits and a run in seven innings, also getting a no-decision in a game Houston won, 5-4.
He made his 2009 debut against the Cubs on April 8 in Houston and was touched for eight hits and seven runs in just 1 2/3 innings of an 11-6 loss.
He went on the 15-day DL one start later and has pitched twice since, combining to give up 13 hits and three runs in 12 innings after his initial two pre-DL outings yielded 15 hits and 12 runs in just four innings.
On Thursday in Colorado, Michael Bourn went 4-for-5 with a double and stole home, as the Astros topped the Rockies, 5-3, in the rubber match of a three- game series at Coors Field.
Carlos Lee homered and Hunter Pence finished 2-for-4 with a double and RBI for Houston, which won the final two games of this set and has recorded a victory in five of its last six games.
Wandy Rodriguez (4-2) took the win after a strong seven-inning start, in which he allowed three runs -- two earned -- on five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out a career-high 11.
In Chicago, Bobby Scales finished 2-for-4 with four RBI and a pair of runs scored as the Cubs routed San Diego, 11-3, in the final test of a three-game set from Wrigley Field.
Reed Johnson and Geovany Soto also drove in a pair of runs while Aaron Miles collected two hits and drove in one for the Cubs, who swept the series and have won their last four games.
Ryan Dempster (3-2) scattered three hits and two runs with five strikeouts over his seven-inning start for the win. The right-handed also aided his cause at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and knocking in two runs.
Chicago has already won four of five from the Astros this season and is 6-1 in the last seven matchups dating back to last year.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Houston - Brian Moehler (0-2, 8.44) Chicago - Randy Wells (0-0, 0.00)
Novice right-hander Randy Wells makes the second start of his big-league career with a chance to put his team in first place today when the Chicago Cubs host the Houston Astros in the first of three weekend games at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs enter the series a half-game out of the top spot in a jumbled National League Central Division, trailing Milwaukee and St. Louis and tied with Cincinnati.
Wells, who reached the majors with four relief appearances last season, took his 2009 bow on May 8 against the Brewers at Miller Park and was solid, scattering five hits in five scoreless innings to get a no-decision in a game the Cubs lost, 3-2.
He was sent to Triple-A Iowa of the Pacific Coast League in March and recalled in early May when staff ace Carlos Zambrano went on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.
He has never faced the Astros.
Countering for Houston will be 37-year-old righty Brian Moehler, a veteran of 287 major-league appearances and 219 starts.
The most recent outing for the North Carolina native came May 9 against San Diego, when he limited the Padres to five hits and a run in seven innings, also getting a no-decision in a game Houston won, 5-4.
He made his 2009 debut against the Cubs on April 8 in Houston and was touched for eight hits and seven runs in just 1 2/3 innings of an 11-6 loss.
He went on the 15-day DL one start later and has pitched twice since, combining to give up 13 hits and three runs in 12 innings after his initial two pre-DL outings yielded 15 hits and 12 runs in just four innings.
On Thursday in Colorado, Michael Bourn went 4-for-5 with a double and stole home, as the Astros topped the Rockies, 5-3, in the rubber match of a three- game series at Coors Field.
Carlos Lee homered and Hunter Pence finished 2-for-4 with a double and RBI for Houston, which won the final two games of this set and has recorded a victory in five of its last six games.
Wandy Rodriguez (4-2) took the win after a strong seven-inning start, in which he allowed three runs -- two earned -- on five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out a career-high 11.
In Chicago, Bobby Scales finished 2-for-4 with four RBI and a pair of runs scored as the Cubs routed San Diego, 11-3, in the final test of a three-game set from Wrigley Field.
Reed Johnson and Geovany Soto also drove in a pair of runs while Aaron Miles collected two hits and drove in one for the Cubs, who swept the series and have won their last four games.
Ryan Dempster (3-2) scattered three hits and two runs with five strikeouts over his seven-inning start for the win. The right-handed also aided his cause at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and knocking in two runs.
Chicago has already won four of five from the Astros this season and is 6-1 in the last seven matchups dating back to last year.
