The Colorado Rockies, with a record of 55-92, are preparing to face the Chicago Cubs (75-71) at Coors Field for the first game of their weekend series. The game is set to begin at 8:40 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on MARQ. The Rockies come into the game after losing their recent series against the Detroit Tigers, while the Cubs vs Rockies enter with momentum from a strong series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite the Rockies’ home advantage, the Cubs are favored in this matchup, with odds at -145.
Javier Assad will start for the Cubs, bringing a solid 7-5 record, a 3.14 ERA, and 111 strikeouts across 131 2/3 innings. His performance this season has been instrumental in keeping the Cubs’ postseason hopes alive. For Colorado, Austin Gomber will be on the mound. Gomber has struggled throughout the season, reflected in his 5-10 record and 5.44 ERA. This will be his 28th start of the year, and he’ll be tasked with containing the Cubs’ offense in the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field.
Chicago has fared well this season when favored, winning over half of the games where they’ve been the moneyline favorites, including a 21-8 record when their odds were set at -145 or shorter. Offensively, the Cubs rank 13th in Major League Baseball, averaging 4.6 runs per game and hitting 153 home runs, which places them 21st overall in the league. Their pitching staff has been a standout, with a team ERA of 3.79, placing them ninth in MLB.
On the other hand, the Rockies have had a challenging season, winning just over 36% of their games as underdogs. They’ve managed to win 39.1% of their games when listed at +124 or worse. Offensively, Colorado ranks 22nd, averaging 4.2 runs per game, while their 159 home runs place them 18th in MLB. However, pitching has been a weak spot for the Rockies, with their staff collectively holding the worst ERA in the league at 5.44.
Key players to watch in this matchup include Ian Happ for the Cubs, who leads the team with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs, and Nico Hoerner, who brings consistency to the lineup with a .261 batting average and a .328 OBP. Cody Bellinger, with 20 home runs this season, has provided much-needed power for Chicago. For the Rockies, Ezequiel Tovar is having a solid season, batting .266 with 22 home runs and 43 doubles, while Ryan McMahon has also been productive with 19 home runs and 25 doubles. Brenton Doyle leads the team with 67 RBIs, making him a crucial component of Colorado’s offense.
Injuries could play a significant role in this game, with the Cubs missing key players like Justin Steele, who’s out with an elbow injury, and Adbert Alzolay, sidelined with a forearm injury. The team is also without Nick Madrigal and Brennen Davis. The Rockies are similarly affected by injuries, with Kris Bryant (back) and Cal Quantrill (tricep) among the notable absences. The team’s pitching staff is further weakened by the loss of German Márquez and Antonio Senzatela, both dealing with elbow injuries.
Given the Cubs’ consistency throughout the season and Assad’s strong performance, Chicago has the upper hand going into this matchup. While Coors Field tends to favor hitters, the Cubs’ deeper lineup and more reliable bullpen give them the edge over the struggling Rockies.
Final Score Prediction: Cubs 6, Rockies 5. Total Prediction: Under 10.5 runs.