Cubs at Rockies
The Colorado Rockies will try to earn their first series win at home this season when they host the Chicago Cubs on Sunday for the finale of their three-game set. The Rockies are 3-5 at Coors Field following Saturday's 5-2 victory that evened the series.
Colorado used a five-run inning and a strong pitching effort to even the series, as Chicago was unable to maintain the momentum on offense after posting a 16-5 victory in the opener. The Cubs continued their boom-or-bust trend at the plate – they’re averaging 9.4 runs in their nine wins and 1.8 in their nine losses. Chicago will have to try to solve German Marquez, who faced the club twice last season and recorded one victory while allowing two runs - one earned - over 11 innings. Chicago's Jose Quintana will make his third career start at Coors Field, where he is 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (1-1, 8.16 ERA) vs. Rockies RH German Marquez (1-1, 4.34)
Quintana has been hit hard in two of his first three outings of the season, with a dominant start mixed in between. The 29-year-old Colombian lasted just 2 1/3 innings last time out against Atlanta, allowing seven runs and seven hits. He has struggled with his command, issuing 10 walks in 14 1/3 frames.
Marquez has allowed fewer than three runs in three of his four outings to begin the season. The 23-year-old Venezuelan recorded a season-high six strikeouts over six innings in a win at Pittsburgh on Monday, as he yielded two runs and two hits. Marquez walked 10 batters in his first two starts but has issued only two free passes over nine frames in his last two turns.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs placed INF-OF Ben Zobrist on the 10-day disabled list Saturday with tightness in his back and recalled INF David Bote, who doubled in his first major-league at-bat, from Triple-A Iowa.
2. Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado is 5-for-8 with a homer and three RBIs since returning from his five-game suspension.
3. Chicago CF Albert Almora Jr. is 11-for-21 during his five-game hitting streak and 13-for-31 in seven contests in which he hit in the leadoff position.