Colorado (15-14) at Chicago Cubs (15-10)
When: Monday, April 30th 2018
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Time: 7:05 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Chicago -190
Both the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs will try and jump-start their respective offenses when they begin a three-game series at Wrigley Field on Monday night – televised on ESPN. The Cubs are climbing the NL Central standings after a four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend, but managed to score just nine runs in the process. Chicago’s pitching was dominant, however, posting three shutouts and are just a half-game behind Pittsburgh in the very tight Central standings. Colorado is in second place as well in the NL West, but dropped two of three in Miami, scoring just two total runs and recorded one extra-base hit. Chicago has won four straight and six of its last seven to move a season-high five games above .500 and the rotation has posted six straight quality starts and hasn’t allowed an earned run in its last 28 innings – their longest streak since 1976. Veteran Jon Lester will try to extend the streak when he opposes fellow-lefty Kyle Freeland on Monday. The Rockies’ pitching staff also has been solid, allowing just nine runs over the last five games. Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (hamstring) was eligible to return from the disabled list Sunday and is expected to be back at some point during the series.
Pitchers: Rockies – Kyle Freeland (1-3, 4.33 ERA) | Cubs – Jon Lester (2-1, 3.29)
Freeland is coming off his best outing of the season when he limited the San Diego Padres to three hits over seven scoreless innings in the Rockies’ 8-0 win last Tuesday. Freeland faced the Cubs last season in Colorado and allowed five runs – three earned – over six innings in taking the loss.
Lester has been solid so far this season, but not spectacular. He allowed only four hits over seven innings at Cleveland – three of which were solo homers, but the Cubs could not generate any offense for him as he suffered the 4-1 loss. Lester has posted quality starts in three of his last four outings and is is 1-3 with a 2.73 ERA in four career starts against the Rockies.
Both pitching staffs have been really good lately, while the offenses have struggled. That makes for a low-scoring game and taking the big favorite is too risky. Lester has lost his last two home starts against Colorado and was a bigger favorite in those games than he is here. Look for Colorado to squeak one out here.
Pick: Rockies +155
BETTING TRENDS:
- Rockies are 47-97 in their last 144 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Rockies are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Rockies are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Rockies are 0-4 in their last 4 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Rockies are 7-3 in Freeland’s last 10 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Rockies are 1-5 in Freeland’s last 6 starts vs. National League Central.
- Rockies are 1-5 in Freeland’s last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Cubs are 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.
- Cubs are 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 games on grass.
- Cubs are 5-0 in their last 5 home games.
- Cubs are 5-0 in their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
- Cubs are 6-0 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win.
- Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Cubs are 19-7 in their last 26 during game 1 of a series.
- Cubs are 35-16 in their last 51 Monday games.
- Cubs are 42-20 in their last 62 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Cubs are 4-0 in Lester’s last 4 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
- Cubs are 11-1 in Lester’s last 12 Monday starts.
- Cubs are 22-6 in Lester’s last 28 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Cubs are 14-4 in Lester’s last 18 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Cubs are 6-2 in Lester’s last 8 starts with 4 days of rest.
- Cubs are 20-8 in Lester’s last 28 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Cubs are 20-8 in Lester’s last 28 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Cubs are 38-17 in Lester’s last 55 home starts.
- Cubs are 39-18 in Lester’s last 57 starts on grass.
- Cubs are 39-19 in Lester’s last 58 starts.
- Under is 5-0 in Rockies last 5 overall.
- Under is 5-0 in Rockies last 5 on grass.
- Over is 3-0-1 in Rockies last 4 Monday games.
- Under is 4-0-2 in Rockies last 6 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Rockies last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Rockies last 6 road games.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Rockies last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 6-2-1 in Rockies last 9 during game 1 of a series.
- Over is 8-3 in Rockies last 11 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 7-3-2 in Rockies last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Under is 39-17-2 in Rockies last 58 games following a loss.
- Over is 3-0-1 in Freeland’s last 4 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 3-0-3 in Freeland’s last 6 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1-1 in Freeland’s last 6 road starts.
- Under is 7-2 in Freeland’s last 9 starts with 5 days of rest.
- Under is 6-2 in Freeland’s last 8 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Freeland’s last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 5-2-2 in Freeland’s last 9 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Under is 21-9-3 in Freeland’s last 33 starts on grass.
- Under is 21-9-3 in Freeland’s last 33 starts overall.
- Under is 5-0 in Cubs last 5 overall.
- Under is 4-0 in Cubs last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Under is 5-0 in Cubs last 5 on grass.
- Under is 4-0 in Cubs last 4 games following a win.
- Under is 4-0 in Cubs last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 4-0 in Cubs last 4 home games.
- Under is 5-0 in Cubs last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 10-3-2 in Cubs last 15 Monday games.
- Over is 12-4-2 in Cubs last 18 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Under is 5-2 in Cubs last 7 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 5-2 in Cubs last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Under is 26-11-4 in Cubs last 41 vs. National League West.
- Over is 6-0 in Lester’s last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.
- Over is 5-0 in Lester’s last 5 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 10-1 in Lester’s last 11 home starts.
- Over is 8-1 in Lester’s last 9 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 6-1 in Lester’s last 7 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 5-1 in Lester’s last 6 Monday starts.
- Under is 4-1 in Lester’s last 5 starts vs. National League West.
- Over is 11-3 in Lester’s last 14 starts overall.
- Over is 10-3 in Lester’s last 13 starts on grass.
- Over is 9-3 in Lester’s last 12 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 5-2 in Lester’s last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Chicago.
- Rockies are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Chicago.
