The Cubs are highly favored on Monday, but off a critical series loss to the D-backs, this is a must-win game. Chicago has had much superior starting pitching lately, including Monday's starter, rookie lefty Jordan Wicks. Wicks, a former first rounder has been terrific in his first three starts, pitching for at least 5 innings (6.2 last time out), and giving up just 4 runs total over 16+ innings. He will face Freedland, another lefty, who is off a decent start, but whose August stats have not been impressive; 1-3 with a 6.49 ERA and a .324 OP BA. .Rockies are checking in at 29th in offense (.228/.649) while the Cubs are positively rocking it by comparison, way up in the 16th spot. The runs for and against record tells the story; Chicago is 6.1/3.9 in their last 7 games while the Rockies 4.6/7.1. I'll take the hot rookie starter and a very motivated Cubs team to win on the road.