Free MLB Picks Today: Chicago Cubs vs Colorado Rockies 9/16/22

The Chicago Cubs (61-82) host the Colorado Rockies (62-81) at Wrigley Field on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The Rockies split their last series against the White Sox, taking the finale 3-0 on Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Ryan McMahon was 2 for 5 with a double and one run. The Cubs are coming off a three-game sweep of the Mets, taking the finale 6-3 on Wednesday at Citi Field. P.J. Higgins went 2 for 3 with a double, one run, and two RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The teams have split their games this season 2-2, as the Cubs evened the season series with a 6-4 victory in their most recent meeting on April 17 at Coors Field. Reliever Rowan Wick threw one scoreless inning to get the win, and David Robertson picked up his third save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

German Marquez (8-10, 4.86 ERA) is set to start for Colorado. The right-hander allowed nine runs over four innings in his last start, a 13-10 home win over the Diamondbacks on September 9. He scattered seven hits while striking out two and walking three in the no-decision. Marquez has made one previous start against the Cubs this season, a 6-5 home victory on April 15. He surrendered four runs on 10 hits over 4.1 innings, striking out three and walking one. RHP Marcus Stroman (3-7, 3.73 ERA) gets the start for Chicago. He has made one prior start against the Rockies this season, giving up five runs over four innings in a 6-5 road defeat on April 15. He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out four in the loss. In his last start on Saturday, Stroman took the loss at home against the Giants. He threw four innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking one in the 5-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Colorado offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .258/.319/.401. C.J. Cron leads the team in OPS at .805. The first baseman is slashing .264/.320/.485 with 28 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 74 runs over 136 games. Over the last five games, however, Colorado has averaged 5.6 runs a game thanks in part to improved slugging (.452). Against right-handed pitchers like Stroman this season, the Rockies have a .692 OPS. Cron also is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .842 OPS in 363 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .241/.312/.391 for the season and averaging 4.1 runs per game. Willson Contreras leads the team with a .822 OPS. The catcher has 21 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 63 runs scored with a slash line of .246/.351/.471. The Cubs have a .703 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With ann .804 OPS over 296 at-bats, Contreras also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is 22-47 in away games in 2022, scoring 3.0 runs per game while allowing 5.0 runs. Chicago has gone 30-42 at Wrigley Field this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.6. The teams have split their last 10 meetings at Wrigley Field, though Colorado has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.1-4.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 36 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 23 games behind the Cardinals.