Cubs So-So in First Series Against Astros

There was nothing special in the Cubs 2-1 record to start the year (excluding the Fukudome and Ramirez bats).

The Cubs started the year with a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park; Alfonso Soriano lead off the season with a bang, a leadoff home run off of Roy Oswalt.

The next game wasn't so fortuitous for the Cubs, losing 3-2 in ten innings.

Ryan Dempster pitched well, but bullpen woes and timely hitting by the Astros (Jeff Keppinger walk-off single) were to much for the Cubs to overcome.

The series finale was a slug-fest, with the Cubs handily beating the Astros 11-6.

Aramis Ramirez and Kosuke Fukudome each had 4 hits (Fukudome with a double and home run), as well as good hitting performances from Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot (Fontenot a three-run homer).

The Cubs have played well, but a series sweep was definitely an option.

Next up for the Cubs, a three game series in Milwaukee.

Probable Starters:

Game 1- Harden (0-0) vs. Looper(0-0)

Game 2- Zambrano (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Bush (0-0, 18.00 ERA)

Game 3- Dempster (0-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. TBA.

The Cubs are very capable of sweeping this series, as the Brewers have an obvious lack of starting pitching.

Prediction for the series: Cubs sweep.