The Chicago Cubs (75-72, 70-77 RL, 69-73-5 O/U) and the Colorado Rockies (56-92, 73-75 RL, 72-73-3 O/U) are set to wrap up their three-game series on Sunday afternoon. The Cubs will send Kyle Hendricks to the mound, while the Rockies will counter with Cal Quantrill. Currently, the Cubs lead the season series 3-1.
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Cubs Aim for Solid Finish on the Road
Kyle Hendricks takes the mound for the Cubs as they look to secure a series win. His last outing saw him allow two runs over 4.1 innings against the Dodgers, resulting in a no-decision in a game ultimately won by Los Angeles. Despite conceding three or fewer runs in four of his last five starts, Hendricks is struggling this season, reflected in his 6.51 ERA and 1.53 WHIP, with a disappointing 3-11 record over 112 innings. Historically, he has performed better against the Rockies, holding a 4.19 ERA in 62.1 career innings.
As the Cubs conclude their road trip, they find themselves six games back in the wildcard race, making every game crucial. They have lost two of their last three series but managed to secure a big win against the Dodgers earlier in the week, scoring a total of 24 runs while allowing 17. On the road, the Cubs are two games under .500.
Nico Hoerner, a vital part of the Cubs’ lineup, is currently struggling, with only three RBIs and a .692 OPS this month. Overall, he has driven in 42 runs this season, but his numbers against the Rockies have been particularly disappointing, with zero RBIs and a paltry .543 OPS.
The Cubs are averaging 4.55 runs per game, placing them 13th in the league, while their pitching staff boasts a 3.82 ERA, ranking ninth overall.
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Rockies Look to Build Momentum with Quantrill
Cal Quantrill will make his return from the injured list for the Rockies on Sunday. His last appearance was in late August when he allowed four runs in 5.2 innings against the Marlins, also resulting in a no-decision. This season, he has struggled to find consistency, with a 4.63 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, posting an 8-9 record over 138 innings. Earlier this season, Quantrill faced the Cubs, giving up four runs, contributing to his troubling 8.38 ERA in 19.1 career innings against Chicago.
Recently, the Rockies have shown some competitiveness, winning a series against the Brewers last weekend thanks to strong pitching performances. However, they faced challenges in their previous series against the Tigers, where they only managed to score eight runs while allowing 20. They rebounded with a strong 9-5 victory to kick off this series. At home, the Rockies are four games under .500.
Ryan McMahon has been a bright spot for the Rockies, contributing two RBIs and an impressive .816 OPS this September. He has 19 home runs and 61 RBIs this season, with a .742 OPS overall. Notably, McMahon has yet to drive in a run against the Cubs, despite having a solid .796 OPS in matchups against them.
The Rockies are currently averaging 4.20 runs per game, placing them 21st in the league, while their pitching staff struggles with a 5.42 ERA, ranking last at 30th.
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Best Bets for Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies
The Chicago Cubs have gone 4-6 in their last ten games. In contrast, the Colorado Rockies have shown competitiveness at home, sitting only four games below .500. After winning a series against the Brewers, the Rockies enter this matchup with a solid 5-3 record in their last eight games.
On the other hand, Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks has faced difficulties, particularly on the road, where he has allowed 11 runs over his last three outings spanning 11 innings. Rockies pitcher Cal Quantrill has shown improvement, allowing three or fewer runs in three of his last four starts. Notably, the Rockies have won five of his last six starts at home.
