On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Rockies series preview

We said “hello” to the 2018 Rockies on April 20, and will say “farewell” for 2018 (barring a postseason meeting, which is entirely possible) on May 2, the entire season series of six games in a 13-day period. This... doesn’t seem optimal scheduling, but that’s what we get these days.

Given the fact that the Cubs just played these guys, and in fact had one quite memorable game April 22, I don’t think you need a re-introduction to them at this point. Thus, here are “just the facts” about the upcoming matchup at Wrigley Field.

Fun fact

The Cubs’ series win in Colorado week before last was their first series win over the Rockies since July 2015, when they won two of three from them in Wrigley Field. 2015 is also the last year the Cubs had a winning record over the Rockies for a season. A series win here would accomplish that again.

Pitching matchups

Monday: Jon Lester, LHP (2-1, 3.29 ERA, 1.207 WHIP, 4.78 FIP) vs. Kyle Freeland, LHP (1-3, 4.33 ERA, 1.333 WHIP, 4.95 FIP)

Tuesday: Kyle Hendricks, RHP (2-1, 3.10 ERA, 1.172 WHIP, 4.69 FIP) vs. Jon Gray, RHP (2-4, 5.79 ERA, 1.469 WHIP, 3.54 FIP)

Wednesday: Yu Darvish, RHP (0-2, 5.26 ERA, 1.442 WHIP, 4.19 FIP) vs. Tyler Anderson, RHP (1-0, 4.10 ERA, 1.519 WHIP, 4.24 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Monday: 6:05 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN (outside Chicago and Colorado markets)

Tuesday: 7:05 p.m. CT, WGN

Wednesday: 1:20 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Chicago

Prediction

The Cubs seem to be on a roll right now, especially the starting pitching. The Rockies just lost two of three to the Marlins in Miami and scored just three runs in the entire series. Does that sound familiar? The weather forecast is for warm conditions with the wind blowing out (no lake breeze!), so all pitchers will have to keep the ball down to keep it in the park. But I think the Cubs will take this series two games to one.

Up next

The Cubs have Thursday off, then make their first 2018 trip to St. Louis to face the Cardinals in a three-game series beginning Friday evening.