PREMIUM
3-Game MLB SWEEPER PASS
(MLB) Chi Cubs vs. Colorado,
Money Line: -117.00 Chi Cubs (Away)
Result: Push
Money Line: -117.00 Chi Cubs (Away)
Result: Push
The set-up: The Chicago Cubs 'limp' into Colorado after getting swept in a three-game home series by the Yankees. The final game of that series was the Sunday night ESPN game, which lasted 18 innings (six hours and five minutes), with New York prevailing 5-4. The Cubs are finding that playing as the defending champs has its challenges, as the team that went 103-58 (.640) in 2016, is only 16-15 (.516) so far in 2017. Chicago opens a three-game series tonight in Coors Field against the Rockies. The Colorado Rockies continue their 10-game homestand with the first of three contests against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, after taking two of three from visiting Arizona over the weekend. The Rockies are 20-12, 2 1/2 games in front of the Dodgers and D'backs, leading the NL West
The pitching matchup: Jake Arrieta (4-1 & 4.63 ERA) takes the mound for the Cubs and Antonio Senzatela (4-1 & 2.84 ERA) for the Rockies. Arrieta hasn't exactly been a "lights out" pitcher in 2017 but he bounced back from his first loss of the season last time out, allowing three runs over six innings in a 5-4 victory over Philadelphia last Wednesday. Arrieta has made just three career starts vs. Colorado and is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts. Senzatela is a rookie and he also rebounded from his first setback of 2017 - and his career - on Wednesday, as he gave up three runs (two earned) over six innings at San Diego. He won National League Rookie of the Month honors for April and ranks among the major-league leaders as he has thrown 53.5 percent of his pitches for strikes. Senzatela will be facing Chicago for the first time in his career but has found Coors Field to his liking, going 2-1 with a respectable 3.15 ERA in three home starts.
The pick: Colorado's 20-12 start through 32 games is the second-best in franchise history but that start includes a modest 9-7 home mark. Chicago hitters struck out a franchise-record 26 times in last night's 18-inning 'marathon' but expect a bounce back here vs. the rookie and a solid effort from the veteran Arrieta. Make the Cubs an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Jake Arrieta (4-1 & 4.63 ERA) takes the mound for the Cubs and Antonio Senzatela (4-1 & 2.84 ERA) for the Rockies. Arrieta hasn't exactly been a "lights out" pitcher in 2017 but he bounced back from his first loss of the season last time out, allowing three runs over six innings in a 5-4 victory over Philadelphia last Wednesday. Arrieta has made just three career starts vs. Colorado and is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts. Senzatela is a rookie and he also rebounded from his first setback of 2017 - and his career - on Wednesday, as he gave up three runs (two earned) over six innings at San Diego. He won National League Rookie of the Month honors for April and ranks among the major-league leaders as he has thrown 53.5 percent of his pitches for strikes. Senzatela will be facing Chicago for the first time in his career but has found Coors Field to his liking, going 2-1 with a respectable 3.15 ERA in three home starts.
The pick: Colorado's 20-12 start through 32 games is the second-best in franchise history but that start includes a modest 9-7 home mark. Chicago hitters struck out a franchise-record 26 times in last night's 18-inning 'marathon' but expect a bounce back here vs. the rookie and a solid effort from the veteran Arrieta. Make the Cubs an 8* play.
