PREMIUM
Rogers' EARLY BIRD SPECIAL (Rockies/Cubs) >> +$33,454 s/ May 1! 61-31-1 MLB Run!
(MLB) Colorado vs. Chi Cubs,
Money Line: -156.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -156.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Chicago Cubs are the defending champs but at least so far in 2017, the Colorado Rockies are challenging the Washington Nationals as the NL's best team. The Rockies are beginning to have the look of a legitimate World Series contender, as they boast the second-best record in the National League (Colorado is 39-23 and Washington is 38-21). What we are also seeing so far is that the Rockies seem to have the defending World Series champs' number. The Rockies made it five wins in a row overall, by beating the Cubs last night 4-1. That makes it three wins in four meetings this season and seven of 10 against the Cubs since the beginning of the 2016 The teams continue their four-game series Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field with the 30-29 Cubs having now lost two in a row, after a five-game winning streak had looked to get them turned around.
The pitching matchup: German Marquez (4-3 & 4.53 ERA) starts for Colorado and Mike Montgomery (0-3 & 2.21 ERA) for Chicago. Marquez dominated the Cubs back on May 10 in Colorado, striking out eight and allowing three hits over eight scoreless innings. That was the first of four straight wins for the rookie but he was tagged for six runs on eight hits over five innings in his first loss since May 5 at San Diego last Friday (Padres won, 8-5). Chicago's starting pitchers had posted a 2.34 ERA through 59 games last season but it's 4.65 this year. The rotation took another hit with Kyle Hendricks (finger) landing on the disabled list Wednesday, leading to Mike Montgomery making his first start of the season, today. Montgomery has been solid out of the bullpen as a long reliever, most recently throwing 3 1/3 scoreless frames to earn his second save Monday against Miami. He had a streak of eight straight scoreless outings spanning 17 innings earlier this season. Montgomery's only appearance against the Rockies was a start last season in which he allowed one run and one hit over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision (Cubs won the game). He is 5-7 with a 4.23 ERA in 23 career starts with Seattle and Chicago.
The pick: Marquez has been solid for Colorado but I like the Cubs' Montgomery. I realize that the Rockies are 22-10 on the road but I'm not about to give up too soon on the Cubs. Montgomery "is the one," today. Make the Cubs an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: German Marquez (4-3 & 4.53 ERA) starts for Colorado and Mike Montgomery (0-3 & 2.21 ERA) for Chicago. Marquez dominated the Cubs back on May 10 in Colorado, striking out eight and allowing three hits over eight scoreless innings. That was the first of four straight wins for the rookie but he was tagged for six runs on eight hits over five innings in his first loss since May 5 at San Diego last Friday (Padres won, 8-5). Chicago's starting pitchers had posted a 2.34 ERA through 59 games last season but it's 4.65 this year. The rotation took another hit with Kyle Hendricks (finger) landing on the disabled list Wednesday, leading to Mike Montgomery making his first start of the season, today. Montgomery has been solid out of the bullpen as a long reliever, most recently throwing 3 1/3 scoreless frames to earn his second save Monday against Miami. He had a streak of eight straight scoreless outings spanning 17 innings earlier this season. Montgomery's only appearance against the Rockies was a start last season in which he allowed one run and one hit over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision (Cubs won the game). He is 5-7 with a 4.23 ERA in 23 career starts with Seattle and Chicago.
The pick: Marquez has been solid for Colorado but I like the Cubs' Montgomery. I realize that the Rockies are 22-10 on the road but I'm not about to give up too soon on the Cubs. Montgomery "is the one," today. Make the Cubs an 8* play.
