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The Chicago Cubs continue a four-game series at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night! Both squads have gotten off to a hot start to the season, and it is time to check out our MLB odds series, where our Cubs-Rockies prediction and pick will be revealed.
Chicago enters Friday's play at 4-2, good enough for a half-game lead on the Cardinals and Brewers for the first place spot in what should be a tight NL Central division race. Last night, the Cubs got going quickly by chalking up three runs off Kyle Freeland in the first inning on their way to a triumphant 5-2 victory in Denver. Chicago will turn to RHP Marcus Stroman, who has pitched rather well in the thin air of Coors Field with a 2-1 record and a 1.64 ERA.
After rolling their way to four-straight wins, Colorado will look to get back on track after coming up short against the Cubs 24 hours ago. The Rockies will have a good chance at getting their fifth win of the year with ace German Marquez on the mound. Marquez held a murderous Dodgers lineup in check in his last outing by only giving up three hits in seven innings pitched.
Here are the Cubs-Rockies MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Cubs-Rockies Odds
Chicago Cubs: +1.5 (-196)
Colorado Rockies: -1.5 (+162)
Over: 10 (-112)
Under: 10 (-108)
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Why The Cubs Could Cover the Spread
After a below-average record of 71-91 during the 2021 season, Chicago is off to a promising start nearly seven months later, as they have demonstrated a keen sense of remaining balanced on offense and in their pitching thus far.
The most encouraging part of the successful campaign start for the Cubs has been the production of players that have had a high upside in previous years. Such players like Ian Happ fit that mold perfectly, as Chicago's centerfielder is on a torrid tear that has seen him rake a ludicrous .471 batting average in 17 total at-bats.
Another player that has taken the league by storm both in America and internationally is right-fielder Seiya Suzuki, who has lived up to the preseason hype so far in leading the Cubs in both home runs and RBIs hit. Suzuki has also showcased a knack for reaching base, as his .480 on-base percentage has Cubs manager David Ross grinning from cheek to cheek.
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Changing gears to the rubber, Marcus Stroman has been an effective pitcher ever since his MLB debut back in 2014 with the Blue Jays. Even more impressively, Stroman has ignored the Coors Field altitude narrative by absolutely dealing in his three total starts in the majestic ballpark. The 30-year-old New York native is coming off a fabulous season debut start in which he only allowed a single run in five innings pitched against the Brewers.
If Chicago uses timely hitting with runners on base and getting out of jams versus the Colorado lineup, then there is no doubt the Cubs can guarantee a split of this four-game series with a victory.
Why The Rockies Could Cover the Spread
Since its inception in 1993, the Rockies are prone to getting off to blistering starts to their season before seeing their record crumble before the All-Star break takes place in mid-July. This is all too familiar with the Rockies faithful far and wide, as Colorado would want nothing more to remain consistent after back-to-back seasons of subpar play. So far, the Rockies have done their part, and even though only six games have been played in their extremely young season, there are aspects of Colorado that should leave them with a sense of encouragement.
So far, the Rockies have actually pitched above their usual standard, as their team ERA is tied for sixth in the majors with a 2.95. Keep in mind, the Rockies possessed a 4.82 ERA that ranked near the bottom of the league. While maintaining this healthy earned-run average number will be a challenge since they have to play half their games in hitter-friendly Coors Field, improving that number from 2021 will translate into more wins for the Rox in 2022.
It always seems to help when you have a pitcher with as much talent as German Marquez, who has one of the best fastballs in the game while also able to make knees buckle with his swooping curveball. The biggest reason the Rockies could cover the spread is because of Marquez, as his pitching prowess has gained the respect from baseball experts across the country. Not to mention, but Marquez has historically pitched well at Coors with a 27-18 record and a 4.67 ERA in 69 starts.
Offensively, the Rockies need to find a way to come up with clutch hits down the stretch, as Colorado managed to leave 12 runners on base, something that did them in as they suffered their second loss of the season.
Final Cubs-Rockies Prediction & Pick
The Cubs are hot, but nothing extinguishes a fire like a dominant pitcher who can make batters whiff at a high rate. Just like he did against the Dodgers, Marquez will ensure that the Rockies get back on track in covering the spread.
Final Cubs-Rockies Prediction & Pick: Rockies -1.5 (+162)
