The Colorado Rockies are facing off against the Chicago Cubs in National League Wild Card Elimination Game. The first pitch will be thrown at 8:05 p.m. ET and this loser-goes-home matchup will be nationally televised on ESPN.
Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
Vegas is listing Colorado (+125) as the underdog to Chicago (-135). Gamblers are able to bet on the game’s total with odds posted at +110 for over 7.5 runs and -130 for under 7.5. Gamblers can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds coming in at Rockies +1.5 runs (-170) and Cubs -1.5 runs (+150).
In the regular season, the Cubs are 95-68 straight up (SU) and 80-83 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t strayed too far from expectations, gaining 1.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 2.1 units (ATS). Chicago has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. On the other hand, the Rockies are 91-72 SU and have gone 86-77 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 19.6 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 8.2 units ATS. Colorado has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 72-88-3 in 2018. Colorado has also been a great under bet with a total record of 69-86-8.
Kyle Freeland will get the nod for the visiting Rockies. The southpaw Freeland (17-7, 2.85 ERA) has racked up 173 strikeouts in 202.1 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with five strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs are putting the ball in the hands of lefty Jon Lester (18-6, 3.32 ERA), who has 149 strikeouts and 64 walks to his name, as well as a 1.31 WHIP. Lester is 0-0 with five strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Colorado this year.
Colorado’s pitching staff allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.17 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.53 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.62, along with a WHIP of 1.29.
The Rockies offense has slashed .256/.324/.435 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game this season, including 6.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Outfielder Charlie Blackmon and third baseman Nolan Arenado continue to lead Colorado’s offense. Blackmon is hitting .291/.358/.502 with 29 home runs, 70 RBIs and 119 runs scored, while Arenado (.297/.374/.561) is up to 38 homers, 110 RBIs and 104 runs scored.
For the home team, Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 3.84, a WHIP of 1.33 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.8. The bullpen has a 3.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8.6 K/9.
The Chicago offense has produced 4.7 runs per contest, including 4.5 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over its last five. The team has hit .242/.316/.389 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Cubs’ batters have been led by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Baez is hitting .290/.326/.554 with 34 home runs, 111 RBIs, 101 runs and 21 stolen bases, while Rizzo’s line sits at .283/.376/.470 with 25 homers, 101 RBIs and 74 runs.
The Rockies have gained 4.9 units and are 34-26 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 20 of those games, compared to 37 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 3.8 units and are 18-17 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 16 of those games, as opposed to 19 which went under the total.
Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Rockies, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The under has hit in four of Chicago’s last seven games.
Colorado fielders have five errors over the last 10 games, compared to 10 errors for Chicago over its last 10.
The Rockies have hit 22 home runs in their last 10 games, including 16 over their last five.
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