The Chicago Cubs (3-2) open a four-game road series against the Colorado Rockies (4-1) Thursday. First pitch is 8:40 p.m. ET at Coors Field. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Rockies odds with MLB picks and predictions.
This is the first meeting between these two teams in 2022. They will face each other seven times during the regular season.
The Cubs lost their series finale to the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 Wednesday to split the two-game set. They have lost two of their last three games after opening the season with a pair of wins.
The Rockies have started surprisingly well at 4-1 and leading the NL West entering Thursday’s action. They have won four games in a row after losing their season opener and are coming off a two-game road series sweep of the Texas Rangers.
Cubs at Rockies: Projected starters
Cubs LHP Justin Steele vs. Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland
Steele (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is making his second start of the year. He allowed 4 hits and 1 walk with 5 strikeouts across 5 innings in his season debut.
- Allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision in his lone start against the Rockies during his rookie season.
- This will be only his 11th major-league start. He appeared in 20 games with nine starts as a rookie in 2021.
Freeland (0-1, 12.27 ERA) makes his second start of the season. He gave up 5 hits and 2 walks with 6 strikeouts through 6 2/3 IP in his first appearance.
- Went 1-0 in one start against the Cubs in 2021 as he allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts in 5 innings of work.
- He went 4-3 with a 4.83 ERA in 11 starts at Coors Field last season.
Cubs at Rockies odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:18 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Cubs +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Rockies -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-180) | Rockies -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 11.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
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Cubs at Rockies prediction and picks
Prediction
Rockies 6, Cubs 4
Money line
The Cubs were only 32-49 on the road last season, while the Rockies were 48-33 at home. Thus far, the Cubs have split their first two road games of the year.
The Rockies are 2-1 at home so far this season. Freeland was knocked around a little in his first start of the year, allowing 5 runs in 3 2/3 innings.
This will be Steele’s first-ever start at Coors Field, so I expect the Rockies will take advantage of him having to adjust to pitching in Colorado’s thin air.
Take the ROCKIES (-125).
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Run line/Against the spread
The Cubs are 3-2 ATS this season so far, covering the spread in their first three games and then failing to do so in their last two games, both on the road.
The Rockies, after dropping their opener by 2 runs, have covered the spread in four straight games. This is the first time all season they are favored on the run line. Three of their four wins this season are by at least 2 runs.
Take the ROCKIES -1.5 (+145).
Over/Under
Coors Field has the reputation for a lot of runs. The problem is the line almost always reflects that and so the projected total is always set fairly high like for tonight’s matchup.
The Cubs have not had a game hit double digits in total runs in their five games and the Rockies have only twice in five games.
The Rockies have only had one game hit the Over so far this season.
Take UNDER 11.5 (-130).
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