Colorado is very much a different team at home compared to on the road, which is a big reason why they are -137 favorites in the August 3rd Cubs at Rockies matchup. Colorado is 33-20 at Coors Field this season compared to an atrocious 13-40 away from Denver.
Chicago is a +126 underdog in Tuesday’s matchup, dropping two of three in Washington over the weekend after shipping out most of their core players at the trade deadline. The Cubs still have some pop in their lineup though, and the ball should be flying out of Coors Field (O/U 11.5) even with a light rain in the forecast.
Cubs Adjusting to New Faces
Chicago began life without Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez, and Kris Bryant over the weekend and it didn’t go so well, dropping 2 of 3 to fellow sellers Washington. The Cubs are now just 20-35 away from Wrigley Field on the season, and are 6-18 in their last 24 road tilts.
There are some new faces stepping up for the North Siders heading into the August 3rd Cubs at Rockies contest. Rafael Ortega has HRs in 4 of his last 9 AB, including 3 on Sunday from the leadoff position. Ortega had 4 of the Cubs’ 5 hits in that contest though, so they still have some offensive work to do. Patrick Wisdom could have a big night at Coors Field as he has 16 HRs in 59 games on the season.
Zach Davies (6-7, 4.39 ERA) was a rumored trade chip but he stayed with Chicago at the deadline. The right-hander has allowed just 10 HR over 22 starts this season, which is a positive thing when throwing in Denver. Davies has also only allowed one HR in 10 road outings this season.
Rockies Solid Back at Home
Colorado is tied with Arizona and Texas for fewest road wins in the majors this season (13) but are 20-8 over their last 28 at Coors Field. The Rockies are also 14-3 in their last 17 when listed as favorites.
The Rockies did just take 2 of 4 in San Diego from the Padres, so they have some momentum coming back home and playing after an off day. Unlike the Cubs, Colorado held on to trade prospects such as Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon at the deadline. Blackmon is just 3-18 (.167) in his career vs. Davies however, and Colorado as a team has gone 11-68 (.162) vs. the Cubs starter.
Kyle Freeland (1-6, 4.52 ERA) goes for the Rockies looking for his third straight start of just 1 ER allowed. Freeland has a 4.56 ERA at Coors Field as well, which really isn’t much different from the numbers he puts up on the road (4.56) – and in fact better. Only four players on the current Chicago roster have ever faced the left-hander, going 1-10 combined.
Free August 3rd Cubs at Rockies Pick
It’s always hard to call for a low scoring game at Coors Field, but the Cubs offense is a shell of its former self. At the same time Davies really doesn’t give up the long ball, and the temps are supposed to drop while a light rain could be coming right around 1st pitch making conditions tougher.
Rockies 4 – Cubs 3
Free Pick: Under 11.5
