Cubs at Rockies
The Chicago Cubs are trying to put together their longest streak of sustained offensive success this season, and they’re in the right place to do it. The inconsistent Cubs hope for a third straight big performance at the plate when they continue their three-game road series against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.
The Cubs routed the Rockies 16-5 in the series opener, giving them back-to-back games with more than five runs for the first time in their first 17 contests. The red-hot Javier Baez led the charge with four hits - including a two-run homer - and four RBIs while Kyle Schwarber homered among his three hits as six different players recorded at least two hits for Chicago. The Rockies benefited from the return of Nolan Arenado, who belted a two-run shot on the first pitch he saw upon coming back from a five-game suspension, but Colorado did little else at the plate. The Rockies are 2-5 at home, where they’re averaging a pedestrian 3.57 runs.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Yu Darvish (0-1, 6.00 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (0-0, 4.74)
Darvish has disappointed in two of his first three outings with the Cubs. The 31-year-old failed to get out of the fifth inning last time out against Atlanta, allowing four runs and nine hits while walking four. He also has surrendered a home run in each of his three starts and could have a tough time keeping the ball in the park in his first start at Coors Field.
Anderson put together two straight quality starts before struggling to find the strike zone Sunday at Washington. The 28-year-old issued six walks and left after 4 2/3 innings despite surrendering only three runs - one earned - and two hits. Anderson is the rare pitcher who is better at Coors Field, where he is 8-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 21 games (20 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Baez is 10-for-20 with three doubles, a triple, two homers and 10 RBIs over his last four games.
2. Rockies relievers have allowed 14 runs over eight innings in the last two contests.
3. The Cubs are averaging 9.4 runs in their nine wins and 1.75 in their eight losses.