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The Colorado Rockies (56-96) open a 3-game weekend series against the Chicago Cubs (79-74) Friday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is at 2:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rockies vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rockies lead 2-1
Colorado has lost 4 games in a row overall and 7 straight on the road, dropping their road record to 22-56, which is 2nd worst in the majors. The Rockies also have the worst record in the National League and have been long eliminated from postseason contention.
The Cubs are in the thick of a tight NL Wild Card race but haven’t helped themselves lately with 7 losses in their last 8 games. The stumble has slipped them to the final NL Wild Card spot, just a 1/2 game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds.
Rockies at Cubs projected starters
RHP Noah Davis vs. RHP Jameson Taillon
Davis (0-2, 9.58 ERA) makes his 5th start and 7th appearance. He has a 2.03 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 through 20 2/3 IP.
- Last appearance: 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K in relief in 11-10 home loss vs. San Francisco Giants Sunday
- Last start: 4 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K in 8-6 road loss vs. Reds on June 20
- 2023 road stats: 0-1, 3.95 ERA (13 2/3 IP, 6 ER) with 12/7 K/BB in 3 starts
- Recorded a 4.50 ERA with 45/35 K/BB (plus 12 HBP) across 14 starts in a tough pitching environment at Triple-A this season
Taillon (7-10, 5.27 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.31 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 through 138 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 7-3 road loss vs. Rockies on Sept. 13
- 2023 home stats: 3-6, 5.00 ERA (72 IP, 40 ER) with 8.9 K/9 in 14 starts
- Career vs. Rockies: 2-1, 2.37 ERA (19 IP, 5 ER) with 6.2 K/9 in 3 starts — just over a week ago on Sept. 18 and the others in 2017 and 2018
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Rockies at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockies +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Cubs -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rockies +1.5 (-105) | Cubs -1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rockies at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 7, Rockies 4
Moneyline
The Cub offense should have their way with Davis, who brings some very soft skills to the table. However, they are in a bit of a tailspin lately, so laying greater than 2:1 odds is a little risky. PASS on the moneyline and let’s find some value with the spread or total.
Run line/Against the spread
Taillon has been up and down lately, and throughout most of the season, but he gets a good matchup against a Colorado team that ranks last in wRC+ vs right-handed pitching.
The Cubs have been cold but while they just dropped 2 of 3 games against Pittsburgh, they scored 27 runs in the series, and they are facing a pitcher in Davis who should give them plenty of chances to pile on more runs. The Rockies have lost every game that Davis has pitched in, and that trend should continue so lock in CUBS -1.5 (-115).
Over/Under
Taillon has surrendered 7 HR across his last 4 starts and at least 1 HR in 8 of his last 9 outings. He can’t be counted on to completely shut down Colorado, and the Cub bats are set up for a good day against Davis, who has shown no signs of being a viable big-league starter. Both teams should do their part in pushing this total OVER 9 (-110).
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