The streaking Chicago Cubs will go for their fifth consecutive win as they play host to the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field. This NL matchup is going to be televised nationally on ESPN and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.
Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Rockies have gone 15-14 SU this year and are 14-14 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 2.0 units for moneyline bettors through the early portions of the season and 0.1 units ATS. Colorado is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 15-10 SU and 12-12 ATS. They’ve lost 1.3 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 0.7 units ATS. Chicago has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 11-13 so far in 2018. Colorado has an over/under record of 12-14-2.
Kyle Freeland will get the nod for the visiting Rockies. The southpaw Freeland is 1-3 with a 4.33 ERA and 25 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Cubs this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-1, 4.50 ERA and six strikeouts over six innings).
The Cubs will turn to lefty Jon Lester (2-1, 3.29 ERA), who has 22 strikeouts and 10 walks as well as a 1.21 WHIP. Lester only made one start against the Rockies in 2017 (0-1, 7.20 ERA and five strikeouts across five innings).
Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 3.8 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The clubs starters have an ERA of 4.00, a WHIP of 1.34 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.2. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.65, a WHIP of 1.27 and a K/9 of 9.0.
Chicago’s offense has put up 5.2 runs per outing, including 5.5 per game over its last 10 games and 2.0 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .204/.264/.279 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Second baseman Javier Baez and left fielder Kyle Schwarber have led the way for the Cubs offense this year. Baez is slashing .292/.346/.656 with seven home runs, 26 RBIs and 20 runs scored, and Schwarber is batting .276 with seven homers, 17 RBIs and 15 runs.
Baez performed well against left-handed pitching at home last season, slashing .358/.397/.679 in 58 such plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .273/.317/.480).
In the other dugout, Colorado’s pitchers have allowed 4.7 runs per game and its starters own a 4.35 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 8.34 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.93, along with a K-per-9 of 9.43.
Rockies hitters have slashed .224/.302/.382 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game this season, including 3.9 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 3.0 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).
Right fielder Charlie Blackmon and third baseman Nolan Arenado have led Colorado’s hitters. Blackmon is slashing .280/.356/.602 with nine home runs, 16 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Arenado (.313/.414/.530) has produced four homers, 12 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
Blackmon did not do especially well against lefties on the road last season. Over 120 such plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .261/.317/.387 (compared to his overall season line of .331/.399/.601).
The Rockies have lost 3.0 units and are 6-6 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in four of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under against lefty starters. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 1.3 units and are 3-4 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in two of those games, compared to five that went under.
Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Rockies, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The Rockies have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit nine over their last 10.
- The Colorado defense has allowed four errors over the last 10 games, compared to nine errors for Chicago over its last 10.
- The Cubs have won six of their last seven games SU.
