The Chicago Cubs (62-82) host the Colorado Rockies (62-82) at Wrigley Field on Saturday. The Cubs took Friday’s series opener 2-1, their fourth straight victory overall and third in five games against the Rockies this season. Marcus Stroman went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, to get the win, and Manuel Rodriguez picked up his second save with a scoreless ninth. Zach McKinstry went 2 for 4 with a home run and a triple in the win. He scored two runs. Ian Happ added one RBI on two hits. Ryan McMahon was 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Rockies.
ON THE MOUND
Jose Urena (3-6, 6.13 ERA) is in line to start for Colorado. The right-hander allowed one run over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 4-1 home win over the Diamondbacks on September 10. He scattered five hits while striking out five and walking two in the no-decision. Urena has made one previous appearance against the Cubs this season, a 9-0 road loss on April 9. He held Chicago scoreless over 1.1 no-hit innings, striking out one and walking three. For Chicago, left-hander Wade Miley (1-0, 3.13 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies. Miley made two appearances against the Rockies in 2021, both starts, striking out eight and walking four over 10 innings (1-1, 9.00). In his last start on Sunday, Miley took a no-decision at home against the Giants. He threw five innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out five and walking one in the 4-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged only 3.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.5, while slashing worse across the board (.193/.244/.311). Against lefties like Miley this season, the Rockies have a .779 OPS, fifth highest in MLB. Randal Grichuk is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a .905 OPS in 155 at-bats. Chicago is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.1 for the season. The Cubs have a .703 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .804 OPS over 296 at-bats, Willson Contreras has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is 22-48 away from home in 2022, scoring 3.0 runs per game while allowing 5.0 runs. Chicago has gone 31-42 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. The teams have split their last 10 games head-to-head at Wrigley Field, though Colorado has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.0-4.3.
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, 22 games behind the Cardinals.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago Cubs (-150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
