The Chicago Cubs (77-67) and Colorado Rockies (51-91) open up a 3-game set Monday. First pitch from Coors Field is set for 8:40 p.m. ET.

Season series: first meeting; Colorado won 4 of 7 meetings in 2022

The Cubs have been hot over the past month to climb back into the NL Central race and currently have a hold of the 2nd NL Wild Card spot. The Cubbies had gone 14-5 over a 19-game stretch prior to dropping 3 of 4 games to the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend avoiding the sweep with a 5-2 victory Sunday.

The Rockies have lost 16 of their last 19 games and have by far the worst record in the National League. Colorado was officially eliminated from postseason contention over the weekend as it was swept in a 3-game set at the San Francisco Giants although the writing has been on the wall for a while in reality.

Cubs at Rockies projected starters

LHP Jordan Wicks vs. LHP Kyle Freeland

Wicks (3-0 2.16 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP 2.2 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 through 16 2/3 IP.

• Last start: Win 6 2/3 IP 2 ER 9 H 0 BB 1 K in 8-2 home winvs. Giants Wednesday
• 2023 road stats: 2-0 10 IP 2 ER 4 BB 12 K in 2 start
• Went 7-0 with a 3.55 ERA 3.2 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 91 1/3 IP across 20 minor league starts this season (13 at Double-A 7 at Triple-A)

Freeland (6-14 5.09 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.47 WHIP 2.5 BB/9 and 5.6 K/9 through 146 2/3 IP.

• Last start: Win 6 IP 2 ER 6 H 3 BB 2 K in 3-2 road victory at Diamondbacks Tuesday
• 2023 home stats: 4-5 5.05 ERA (73 IP 41 ER) with 7.9 K/9 in 14 starts
• Career vs. Cubs: 1-3 5.01 ERA (23 1/3 IP 13 ER) in 4 starts the last of which was in 2022

Cubs at Rockies odds

• Moneyline (ML): Cubs -185 (bet $185 to win $100) | Rockies +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (-125) | Rockies +1.5 (+105)
• Over/Under (O/U): 11.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Cubs at Rockies picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 7 Rockies 5

Moneyline

It has been a bumpy ride for Freeland over the past 3 months as he has registered a 6.37 ERA and 2.0 HR/9 over his last 13 starts. He’ll have his hands full against a tough Cubs offense but this price is a little steep PASS on the nearly 2:1 odds and look for value elsewhere.

Run line/Against the spread

Freeland’s soft skills leave him susceptible to blowups. Wicks hasn’t been dominant during his brief time in the majors and he’s pitching in a tough environment but the Rockies rank dead last with a 66 wRC+ vs. left-handed pitching.

The Rockies are reeling and 9 of their last 10 losses have been by multiple runs. Take the road team CUBS -1.5 (-125) as their bats could do some damage against Freeland and a weak Colorado bullpen.

Over/Under

The Rockies have played 14 games at home since the beginning of August and there have been 12-plus runs scored on 11 occasions along that span. Freeland has had a rough season and is a poor bet for success in this game.

Wicks’ big-league career is off to a nice start but he has just 4 K in 11 2/3 IP over his last 2 starts and is unlikely to completely shut the Rockies down at Coors. Both teams should do enough to push this total OVER 11.5 (-105).