The Colorado Rockies are set to face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. NBC Sports Chicago will televise this NL showdown and the opening pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET.
Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 16-11 SU and 13-13 ATS. They’ve gained 0.7 units for moneyline bettors and 1.0 unit against the spread (ATS). Chicago has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the under has cashed in six of those seven. The Rockies have gone 16-15 SU this year and are 15-15 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 0.1 units for moneyline gamblers in the seasons early going, but have gained 0.1 units ATS. Colorado is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven.
Chicago games have had an over/under record of 11-15 so far in 2018. Colorado has an over/under record of 12-16-2.
Left-hander Tyler Anderson will get the nod for Colorado. Anderson is 1-0 with a 4.10 ERA and 28 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs are putting the ball in the hands of righty Yu Darvish (0-2, 5.26 ERA), who’s got 29 strikeouts and 13 walks, as well as a 1.44 WHIP. Darvish is 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 9.64 ERA in one start against Colorado this year.
Colorado’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.15 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 8.24 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.79, along with a WHIP of 1.32.
The Rockies offense has slashed .221/.299/.379 on its way to 3.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.7 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 1.4 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Colorado’s hitters have been powered by outfielder Charlie Blackmon and third baseman Nolan Arenado, who’ve collectively belted 15 home runs. Blackmon is slashing .286/.381/.622 with 10 home runs, 18 RBIs and 23 runs scored, while Arenado (.308/.407/.549) has produced five homers, 14 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
Blackmon did not do especially well against righty pitching on the road in 2017. Across 254 such plate appearances, he maintained a slash line of .284/.346/.476 (his overall season line was .331/.399/.601).
For the home team, Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 3.7 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have an ERA of 3.82, a WHIP of 1.31 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.1. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 2.52, a WHIP of 1.24 and a K/9 of 9.2.
The Chicago hitters have produced 5.0 runs per contest, including 3.5 per game over its last 10 games and 2.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .186/.244/.290 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Second baseman Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have led the Cubs batters this year. Baez is slashing .280/.333/.630 with seven home runs, 26 RBIs and 20 runs scored, and Bryant’s line is .289/.434/.494 with 24 hits, 11 RBIs and 13 runs.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .273/.317/.480, Baez seemed to enjoy hitting lefty pitching at home last season, slashing .358/.397/.679 over 58 such plate appearances.
The Rockies have gained 5.1 units and are 8-8 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in eight of those games, as opposed to eight that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 0.3 units and are 3-5 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in two of those games, compared to six that’ve cashed the under.
Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Rockies, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Colorado has recorded 17.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 11.8 over its last five.
- The Rockies have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit seven over their last 10.
