With more than a third of the current MLB season in the books, you would expect that we would be beginning to see some clarity in the divisional races. That is certainly true in the American League, where the favorites have clearly emerged by now. Things are not quite so clear in the National League, though. It would appear that the LA Dodgers are once again going to be the team to beat in the NL, but if you take a look at the division and Wild Card races and you see that things are very much wide open right now.
If this current trend continues, we are in for a fun second half as these NL competitors slug it out for those valuable playoff spots. Two teams that we expect to be in that conversation will hook up to start the week, with the Chicago Cubs heading west for a series against the Colorado Rockies. That is never an easy place to go and get away, which may explain why the Rockies are favored by 1 ½ on Monday. The run total for this one has been set at 11.
Cubs vs Rockies MLB Lines & Game Analysis
- When: Monday, June 10 at 8:40 PM EST
- Where: Coors Field, Denver
- Starting Pitchers: Darvish vs. Marquez
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: KOA
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Lines: Colorado Rockies -130 (Total 11.5)
Why bet on the Chicago Cubs?
The race in the NL Central is still incredibly tight, but the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers, who are tied for first, are beginning to open up a bit of a gap on the chasing pack. The Cubs have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games, but they closed out last week by winning 3 in a row in a sweep over their rivals, and divisional foes, the St. Louis Cardinals. Chicago actually ended a 7-game home stand with a 6-1 SU record, but they now need to head out on the road, where things have not gone quite so well.
The Cubs are 3 games below .500 at 13-16 on the road and are just 6-9 ATS as a road underdog. They did take 2 of 3 from the Rockies earlier this season, although that was a homestand. The Cubs will send Yu Darvish (2-3, 4.88 ERA) to the mound for this one.
Team Stats
Offense
- Runs: 5.23
- Hits: 8.59
- Walks: 4.16
- Strike Outs: 9.08
Defense
- Runs: 4.20
- Hits: 8.25
- Walks: 3.59
- Strike Outs: 8.78
Why bet on the Colorado Rockies?
The general consensus was that the Colorado Rockies might well be the main competition for the LA Dodgers in the battle for the NL West title. A brutal start to the season has made it tough for the Rockies, although they have been able to hit a positive run of form to move from last in the West all the way up to second, although still 11 games back of the division-leading Dodgers.
It was a disappointing end to the week, with the Rockies dropping back to back games to the Mets, taking them to 6-4 in their last 10 games. At 2-4 SU on their 6-game road trip, including losing 2 of 3 to the Cubs, the Rockies will be glad to get home, where they are 18-12 SU, but just 10-12 ATS as a road favorite. It will be German Marquez (6-3, 4.07 ERA) who gets the ball on Monday night.
Team Stats
Offense
- Runs: 5.31
- Hits: 9.08
- Walks: 3.05
- Strike Outs: 9.50
Defense
- Runs: 5.17
- Hits: 9.17
- Walks: 3.41
- Strike Outs: 8.23
Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – June 10th Edition
Cubs vs Rockies MLB Betting Trends
- Cubs are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’ last 7 games against an opponent in the National League
- Rockies are 8-0 SU in their last 8 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Colorado’s last 13 games this season
- Cubs are 230-221 against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1997
- Rockies 125-106 against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons
- Darvish is 0-3 when starting against Colorado with an ERA of 8.20 and a WHIP of 1.715
- Marquez is 1-2 when starting against Chicago with an ERA of 6.87 and a WHIP of 1.322
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Cubs vs Rockies
This should be a fun series to watch, as it has the potential to deliver a lot of runs. I like the Rockies to get the win on Monday with Marquez on the mound, but I’m not so sure they cover. I think the bet here is the Cubs ATS.
Score: Chicago Cubs 5 – Colorado Rockies 6
