MLB Game Preview: Chicago Cubs (77-58) vs. Colorado Rockies (38-97)

Game & Venue Details

• Date & Time: Saturday, August 30, 2025 – First Pitch 8:10 p.m. ET / 6:10 p.m. MT
• Venue: Coors Field, 2001 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80205
• Surface: Natural grass
• Broadcast: MARQ (Chicago), COLR (Colorado)

Weather Outlook

• First Pitch Forecast: ~82°F, clear skies, humidity ~28%, winds WNW 7–9 mph
• Impact: Light breeze toward right-center; Coors Field’s altitude already boosts ball carry — expect favorable HR conditions

Injury Report

Chicago Cubs

• Out: Jameson Taillon (groin, 15-day IL), Ryan Brasier (groin, 15-day IL), Miguel Amaya (ankle, 10-day IL), Mike Soroka (shoulder, 15-day IL), Eli Morgan (elbow, 60-day IL), Justin Steele (elbow, 60-day IL)
• Impact: Rotation depth tested; bullpen missing key setup arm

Colorado Rockies

• Out: Dugan Darnell (hip, 60-day IL), Thairo Estrada (hamstring, 60-day IL), Seth Halvorsen (elbow, 15-day IL), Zach Agnos (hand, 15-day IL), Kris Bryant (lumbar, 60-day IL), Jeff Criswell (elbow, 60-day IL)
• Impact: Missing veteran power bat (Bryant) and multiple bullpen arms; youth-heavy roster

Projected Starting Pitchers

Key Player Matchups

• Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC) – 28 HR, 31 SB; speed/power combo plays well in Coors’ spacious OF
• Kyle Tucker (CHC) – .265 AVG, .377 OBP; 6-game hit streak, 3 HR in last 10 games
• Dansby Swanson (CHC) – Coming off 2-HR, 6-RBI game in series opener; career .500 SLG vs. COL pitching
• Hunter Goodman (COL) – .275 AVG, 26 HR, 75 RBI; team leader in all three categories
• Brenton Doyle (COL) – .358 AVG in 2nd half; 7 HR in August; elite CF defense
• Mickey Moniak (COL) – 18 HR; streaky power bat with .496 SLG

Recent Team Form

Cubs (Last 10): 6–4, .245 AVG, 4.03 ERA, +5 run diff

• Won 4 of last 5 vs. COL; offense erupted for 11 runs in opener

Rockies (Last 10): 2–8, .237 AVG, 6.25 ERA, –27 run diff

• Lost 3 straight; bullpen ERA 6.50 in span

Series History

• 2025 Season: Cubs lead 4–0 (swept 3-game set at Wrigley in May; won opener in Denver 11–7)
• All-Time: Cubs lead 120–113 overall; Rockies lead 63–54 at Coors Field
• Recent in Denver: Cubs 1–6–1 in series since 2016; last series win here was 2018

Betting Trends

• Cubs: 60–35 as favorite (63.2% win rate); 14–2 when favored at –205 or shorter; Over in 62 of 134 games
• Rockies: 37–93 as underdog (28.5% win rate); 16–69 when +168 or longer; Over in 57 of 134 games
• Cubs have won 10 of last 12 vs. Rockies
• Under has hit in Rockies’ last 3 games

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

• SP splits (Assad’s 3.86 ERA vs. Brown’s 9.82 ERA)
• Team wRC+ vs. RHP (CHC 107, COL 90)
• Bullpen ERA last 30 days (CHC 3.84, COL 6.12)
• Park factor for HR (Coors Field #1 in MLB)
• Recent scoring trends & player hot streaks