The Colorado Rockies and the Chicago Cubs meet Friday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. The Rockies are coming off a series versus the Padres. Colorado lost all three of those games in a sweep. As for the Cubs, they played the Pirates this week and split the first two installments. In the Thursday rubber match, Chicago fell by two in a wild outcome. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Colorado Rockies 

The Rockies had zero luck versus the Padres this week. First came an 11-9 loss on Monday, then a 2-0 defeat in game two. Colorado ended up getting swept thanks to a 3-2 defeat in the finale on Wednesday. The Rockies’ Brendan Rodgers posted a solo homer in that one, and Ezequiel Tovar added two hits with an RBI. 

As starting pitcher for Friday’s game the Rockies are sending out Noah Davis. Thus far over six games (four starts) Davis is 0-2 with a 9.58 ERA and 18 Ks in 10.2 innings. He’s got a 9.97 ERA in seven career games (four starts). 

Colorado Rockies Team Facts

The Rockies have lost each of their last seven road games.
The Rockies have covered the run line in 15 of their last 16 games as underdogs against the Cubs following a loss.
The Rockies have led after 7 innings in each of their last three games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs

Over on the Cubs’ side, they blew out the Pirates 14-1 in their Tuesday matchup but then fell 13-7 in game two. Chicago’s Ian Happ managed a grand slam in the losing effort. On Thursday in the rubber match the Cubs came back from a late 5-1 deficit only to fall 8-6 after giving up five runs in the final two frames. Dansby Swanson had a three-run homer in the eighth. 

In the starting pitcher slot Friday Chicago will go with Jameson Taillon. So far in 2023 Taillon is 7-10 with a 5.27 ERA and 127 Ks in 138.1 innings over 27 starts. He’s 0-4 with a 5.54 ERA in his last seven starts. 

Chicago Cubs Team Facts

The Cubs have lost each of their last six games as favorites after playing the previous day.
The Cubs have failed to cover the run line each of their last eight home games against NL West opponents that held a losing record.
The Cubs have trailed after 7 innings in five of their last six games as favorites against NL West opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last three day games.
The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games as favorites against NL West opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Chicago Cubs rank 5th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.330).
The Chicago Cubs rank 6th in the league for walks this season (535).
The Colorado Rockies rank 30th in the league for ERA this season (5.62).
The Colorado Rockies rank 30th in the league for strikeouts this season (1047).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with the Cubs. The line’s too thick to mess with, though. Chicago should have some early opportunities while Davis is out there. In his last outing Davis posted 2.0 clean frames with no hits and no walks. Back in June during his two starts prior to that however, Davis had 7.0 innings with 14 earned runs total. If Davis isn’t on point, Chicago will have some chances at the plate. In the Thursday matchup the Cubs’ pen fell apart but the offense kept rolling. Chicago now has six or more runs in three straight games and a total of 27 in the trio. The bullpen is going to need a bounce back but I think the Cubs look reasonable here.