The Colorado Rockies (62-81, 77-65 RL, 66-69-7 O/U) take on the Chicago Cubs (61-82, 73-70 RL, 60-72-11 O/U) in the first of a three-game NL series on Friday afternoon. The Rockies will have German Marquez on the hill. The Cubs reply with Marcus Stroman, targeting his first home win. The season series is even at 2-2.
German Marquez will take the mound in the series opener. Marquez was clobbered in his latest effort, squandering a whopping nine runs in four innings against the Diamondbacks, and was fortunate to escape with the no-decision in a game the Rockies won. The veteran right-hander has pitched well in two out of his last three starts but has posted a 5.25 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP accompanied by an 8-10 record in 157.2 innings of work on the season. Marquez allowed four runs in 4.1 innings in the lone meeting against the Cubs earlier this season and is 1-2 with a 7.65 ERA in 33 innings against the NL foes.
The Rockies collected one win in two meetings against the White Sox this week and have won two out of their last three series including a triumph against the Diamondbacks. Colorado is 5-5 in their last ten games overall and stands 25 games below .500 on the road.
Ry an McMahon continues to shine at the dish, collecting three homers and four RBIs in his last four games. The 27-year-old second baseman is having a career year, launching 16 homers with 62 RBIs and a .743 OPS. McMahon has three RBIs in three games against the Cubs this season.
The Rockies are scoring an average of 4.49 runs per game, ranking them 12th overall. The pitching staff has filed a 5.07 team ERA, pegging them last.