First pitch of this game is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. from Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. Taking the mound for the Rockies will be their number one, Jon Gray. The Cubs will counter with one of their top two in Alec Mills.
Chicago has to Celebrate the Little Victories
It is clear and does not need to be discussed to exhaustion. This Chicago Cubs team taking the field is not a very good product. With the loss of the three most prominent players to wear a Cubs uniform in the last decade, who knows who will be filling in certain spots. Although the Cubs took a healthy beatdown last night, giving up 13, they were able to figure out a way to score six runs for themselves.
Currently sitting in fourth in the division, the Cubs have begun the rebuilding process. Offensively, any type of production from the power part of the game could end up being big. Only scoring 4.23 runs per game, the Cubs are 21st in the league. They are also looking to get their team batting average over .230.
On the mound for the Cubs will be the fifth-year starter, Alec Mills. Coming into this game, Mills has lost three of his last five with a no-decision in there as well. Mills has been successful when guys are putting the ball in play on the ground against him. With the new look infield that will be on display this evening, time will only tell if he will have to pitch differently.
Fighting to Stay Relevant
In a division as deep as the National League West is, the Rockies can easily be forgotten about this season. Being 13 games from being .500 and 20 games from the top spot in the division, the Rockies should also begin a rebuild. However, their management chose not to move any of the pieces and finish out the year with their roster.
When you talk about the Rockies and their offense, the first name that comes to mind has to be their veteran leader, Trevor Story. The 29-year-old has been the Rockies shortstop for the last nine years. This season is his first without the likes of Nolan Arenado, traded to the Cardinals, batting behind him to give him any type of protection, and that has shown in his drastic decline in stats. If the Rockies want to get back to the good graces, they will need Story to find a way to turn his season around.
Jon Gray will be on the mound tonight for the Rockies. He holds a 7-6 record, and his era is sitting around 3.71. Gray is 2-0 in his last four starts, with two no-decisions somewhere in the middle. Gray is having one of his best seasons in terms of ERA, but with the lack of offense behind him, he has struggled to get quality wins. Hopefully, the offense can pick it up, and Gray can end the season on a strong note.
Betting Analysis
- Chicago Cubs Moneyline +142
- Colorado Rockies Moneyline -154
- Total Runs: 11 Over -102, Under -111
The Rockies may not have the greatest overall record, but when playing at home, they are not a bad baseball team with a 34-20 record. The under seems very high, however, Coors field plays rather small, and the ball seems to fly out of the stadium.
Free Pick: Colorado Rockies Moneyline -154