The Colorado Rockies are ready to face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. This NL matchup will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago.
Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Rockies have gone 16-15 SU this year and are 15-15 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 0.1 units for moneyline bettors through the early portions of the season, despite having 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. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 16-11 SU and 13-13 ATS. They’ve gained 0.7 units for moneyline bettors and 1.0 unit ATS. Chicago has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven.
Cubs games have an over/under record of 11-15 thus far in 2018. Colorado has an over/under record of 12-16-2.
Tyler Anderson will get the nod for the visiting Rockies. The left-handed 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 turning to righty Yu Darvish (0-2, 5.26 ERA), who has 29 strikeouts and 13 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.44. Darvish is 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 9.64 ERA in one start against Colorado this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 3.7 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The team’s 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 are putting up 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 hit .186/.244/.290 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Cubs’ hitters have been led by second baseman Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant. Baez is slashing .280/.333/.630 with seven home runs, 26 RBIs and 20 runs scored, and Bryant’s line sits at .289/.434/.494 with 24 hits, 11 RBIs and 13 runs.
Baez enjoyed batting against lefty pitching at home last season, slashing .358/.397/.679 in 58 such plate appearances (compared to his overall season line of .273/.317/.480).
In the other dugout, Colorado’s pitching staff allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.15 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 8.24 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.79, along with a K/9 of 9.59.
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 team’s last 10 games and 1.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Colorado’s offense has been powered by outfielder Charlie Blackmon and third baseman Nolan Arenado, who have combined to swat 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.
Putting up a slash line of .284/.346/.476 across 254 such plate appearances, Blackmon didn’t seem to enjoy hitting against righties on the road last season (compared to his total season slash line of .331/.399/.601).
The Rockies have gained 5.1 units and are 8-8 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in eight of those games, compared to eight that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 0.3 units and are 3-5 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in two of those games, compared to six that went under.
Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Rockies, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
Colorado fielders have three errors over the last 10 games, compared to eight errors for Chicago over its last 10.
The Rockies have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit seven over their last 10.
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