Jeff Hoffman (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Mike Montgomery (4-5, 2.43 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Colorado Rockies (59-63) and the Chicago Cubs (77-44) at Coors Field. The Rockies won the last game 7-6, and Colorado leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 20 and can be seen on CSCh and RTRM.
This is the first time Hoffman will pitch this season. Carlos Gonzalez (.322, 73 Rs, 23 HRs, 80 RBIs, 2 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one RBI. Montgomery went 2.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out three and walking one in a 4-0 win over the Brewers in his last outing. Kris Bryant (.299, 96 Rs, 30 HRs, 79 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Cubs, going 3 for 6 yesterday with one RBI.
Chicago takes on Colorado as a -160 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at 12 runs. The Rockies have an overall money line of +102 and a record as the underdog of 34-42. The Rockies are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 432. Colorado’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 6.7 runs per game, well above its season average of 5.2.
Over in the other dugout, Chicago is coming in with an overall money line of +75 and an impressive record of 72-36 as the favorite. Offensively, they average 5.1 runs per game, which is good for second in the NL. The Cubs are tough outs for opponents, ranking second in the NL with 9.4 hits per road game. Chicago is excellent at drawing walks with an NL-best 4.1 per game. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Cubs are the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.116 for the season.
The Rockies lead the season series, 3-1. The Rockies have a 15-20 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Montgomery takes the mound.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC, O/U – Over
Notes
Colorado is 3-8-1 SU in its last 12 games,.
Colorado is 2-4-1 SU in its last 7 games, at home.
Colorado is 3-5-1 SU in their last 9 games, when playing Chi Cubs.
Colorado 14-6-1 SU in their last 21 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs.
For the 16th time this season, the Cubs registered at least two errors in a game.
The Rockies are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 12 strikeouts. The Cubs have a record of 8-9 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Cubs are 7-27. The Rockies have a 13-43 record when opponents outhit them.
Colorado and Chicago both rank in the top half of the league in home runs. Colorado sits at 12th with 154 home runs this season and Chicago ranks 13th with 151.
Ranking seventh, Chicago is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.69 per game. Colorado ranks in the top five at second with 9.42.
Colorado and Chicago both rank in the top five of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Colorado sits at second with an OPS of .798, and Chicago ranks third with an OPS of .780.
When the Cubs allow at least one home run, they are 40-36. When the Rockies allow one or more homers, they have a 30-49 record.
