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The Colorado Rockies (56-98) and the Chicago Cubs (81-74) play the finale of a 3-game series Sunday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rockies vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cubs lead 3-2
The Rockies are in freefall, dropping their 6th consecutive game on Saturday. Colorado has been outscored 12-3 in the 1st 2 games of the season. Things started out well enough Saturday, as Colorado took a 3-1 lead in the top of the 2nd, and after runs in the 5th and 6th from the Cubs, the game was still tied. However, the bullpen allowed 3 more runs in the 7th and 8th innings.
The Cubs remain just a half-game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2nd NL Wild Card, while sitting a game clear of the Miami Marlins, and 2 1/2 games up on the Cincinnati Reds, with the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres also giving chase.
Rockies at Cubs projected starters
LHP Ty Blach vs. LHP Jordan Wicks
Blach (3-2, 5.32 ERA) makes his 12th start and 19th overall appearance. He has a 1.63 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 5.5 K/9 in 67 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 3 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 11-9 road loss vs. the San Diego Padres last Monday
- 2023 road splits: 0-2, 5.79 ERA (37 1/3 IP, 24 ER), 10 HR, .306 OBA in 7 starts and 2 relief appearances
Wicks (3-1, 2.67 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 6.7 K/9 in 27 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 5 K in 6-2 road loss vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks last Sunday
- 2023 home splits: 1-0, 2.70 ERA (6 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 0 HR, .346 OBA in 1 career start
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Rockies at Cubs odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:31 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockies +205 (bet $100 to win $205) | Cubs -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rockies +1.5 (+105) | Cubs -1.5 (-126)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -122 | U: +100)
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Rockies at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 5, Rockies 3
Moneyline
After a cold streak, the Cubs (-250) are doing a good job taking care of business against an inferior opponent in this series, staying right in the mix for a NL postseason spot.
The Rockies (+205), unlike some other non-contenders, seem simply interested in playing out the string, while having long since thrown in the towel. Still, you can’t risk 2 1/2 times your potential return, even as part of a multi-team parlay.
PASS, and look to the run line instead.
Run line/Against the spread
The CUBS -1.5 (-126) have covered the run line in each of the 1st 2 games in this series. While Chicago struggled for the previous 2 weeks prior to this series, it appears the Cubs can be trusted once again to get the job done when favored.
Over/Under
The UNDER 8.5 (+100) is worth a look at even-money. While the Cubs have notched 6 runs in each of the 1st 2 games of the series, and 6 or more runs in each of the past 5 outings, the Rockies have plated a total of just 5 runs in the past 4 outings.
Colorado should be able to get the bats going against the rookie southpaw Wicks, but it remains to be seen if that will be the case. The lean is to the Under in Rockies games, especially on the road. The Under is 8-4 in the past 12 games overall for Colorado, while going 3-1 in the past 4 road outings.
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