Two of the hottest players in the Major League go against each other tonight in Chi-town.  We're talking about Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros and Alfonso Soriano of the Chicago Cubs.  For those that have been living in a hole the past three weeks, let's get you caught up on what the "Big Puma" has been up to.  He is currently on a 17 game hitting streak, hitting .545 during that span, becoming only the 2nd player in the past 50 years to get 19 hits in 25 at bats, becoming the 1st player since Pete Rose to amass 31 hits in 50 AB, hitting 8 HRs, driving in 21 RBIs, and swiping 4 bags.  That's right, not only is he a triple crown threat (only Chipper Jones' avg. is higher), he is also stealing bases.  How in the world can you bet against a guy like this, unless he is playing against Soriano who has found his groove.  Let's look at his numbers.

Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros (Over 9.5)

Soriano has 8 HRs in the past 7 games, and two multi-homer games this past weekend.  Since the start of May, he has raised his average from .164 to .296, and is starting to like the 1st round draft pick that people wanted him to be.  Unlike Berkman though, he has only stolen 1 base, although I'd have to imagine that trend can't continue.

Another player currently on the rise is Hunter Pence.  He is currently hit safe in 15 straight games.  If it weren't for Berkman's superman heroics, the media would be all over this kid.  Anyways, all of this spells runs for tonight's game between the Cubs and the Astros.  Ted Lilly (4-4, 5.33 ERA), who has pitched well his last 3 outings, takes the mound for the Cubs, and Brian Moehler (1-0, 4.58 ERA) will go for the Astros.  Neither of these guys are overwhelming any hitters, and with all the heat eminating from Berkman, Pence and Soriano, expect to see a lot of Runs.  The current over/under is  9.5, and based on these two pitchers' ERAs, we should cover.