Rockies vs Cubs Picks, Predictions & Betting Splits (June 16)
By Ryan Potts in MLB Baseball
Published:
- The Cubs won on a walk-off last night
- The Rockies have won one-third of their road games
- Continue reading for my Rockies vs Cubs picks
The Chicago Cubs (38-35) host the Colorado Rockies (27-46) at Wrigley Field to open a new series on June 16 at 8:05 PM ET. I am looking for the Cubs to continue their momentum after last night’s walk-off win. Meanwhile, the Rockies carry massive momentum following a historic 23-9 blowout over the Oakland Athletics before their loss to the Cubs
With Chicago battling to improve their playoff positioning, the Cubs will lean on Ian Happ to steady the offense. Colorado hopes to play spoiler as massive road underdogs. Right now, the Cubs sit at -132 odds to make the National League playoffs, while the Rockies are at an outrageous +6750.
Let’s dive into my betting angles for this matchup.
Rockies vs Cubs Picks & Predictions
My top predictions for this contest are the Cubs Moneyline and Over 9.5. Targeting a high-scoring game is the logical path. Colorado’s pitching staff brings a collective 5.64 ERA and 1.52 WHIP into Wrigley Field. Chicago’s staff holds a respectable 4.23 team ERA but has shown recent vulnerability. I expect Chicago’s offense, anchored by Happ and his .815 OPS, to exploit these gaps and secure a home victory.
Edward Cabrera vs Ryan Feltner
The pitching duel features Edward Cabrera taking the mound for Chicago against Ryan Feltner for Colorado. Cabrera carries a 4-3 record despite a vulnerable 4.86 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. While his 3.88 xFIP suggests some bad luck, he has labored heavily in recent outings. Over his last 10 appearances, Cabrera’s ERA has ballooned to 5.96 while allowing a .309 opponent batting average. I expect him to lean on his 8.29 K/9 strikeout rate to mitigate a Rockies offense that just erupted for 23 runs.
Feltner has struggled to find consistent success, posting a 2-2 record and a 5.20 ERA. His primary issue is an inability to generate swings and misses, posting a dismal 6.44 K/9. This pitch-to-contact profile results in inflated pitch counts and short outings. Over his last 10 starts, Feltner is averaging just 4.54 innings per appearance with a 3.22 BB/9. This lack of efficiency could force Colorado to utilize its league-worst bullpen early in the contest.
Best Player Props & Same Game Parlay
My favorite player prop is Ryan Feltner Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+100, FanDuel. Feltner’s strikeout metrics are underwhelming, and the Cubs lineup features disciplined bats capable of working deep counts. Chicago’s elite 12.0% walk rate at home should elevate Feltner’s pitch count early, threatening to chase him before he can accumulate four punchouts.
For a Same-Game Parlay, I am targeting the expected offensive output from both dugouts. I like packaging Pete Crow-Armstrong to record 2+ total bases (-120, BetMGM) with Hunter Goodman to record 2+ total bases (+120, BetMGM). Crow-Armstrong should easily exploit Colorado’s 5.64 team ERA. Goodman leads Colorado with 20 homers and matches up exceptionally well against Cabrera, who currently surrenders 1.86 home runs per nine innings.
- Parlay: +280 (BetMGM)
Rockies vs Cubs Team Stats Comparison
The most glaring mismatch heading into this contest is the difference in plate discipline. Chicago boasts a 12.0% walk rate at home, ranking second in the majors. This patient approach supports my angle of targeting Feltner’s strikeout prop. I expect Chicago’s lineup to force strikes, elevate pitch counts, and work deep into at-bats rather than expanding their zones. Furthermore, Chicago ranks 10th in average exit velocity (88.7 mph) at home, highlighting their ability to punish mistakes.
Despite holding the worst overall record in baseball, Colorado averages more runs per game on the road (4.53) than Chicago does at home (4.43). The Rockies are aggressive on the basepaths, stealing 0.76 bases per game away from Coors Field. Propelled by explosive bats like Ezequiel Tovar and Goodman, Colorado possesses the offensive tools to capitalize on Cabrera’s recent struggles and turn this game into a high-scoring slugfest.
Rockies vs Cubs Odds & Public Splits
The Cubs enter this interleague matchup as massive home favorites, priced at -198 on the moneyline. If you believe Chicago can win by multiple runs, laying the -1.5 runline offers a +102 payout. Colorado is catching +166 as the road underdog, with their +1.5 runline juiced to -122. The game total sits at 9.5 runs, with the juice on the over (-118 odds) compared to the under (-104).
Odds as of June 15 at 6:30 PM ET from FanDuel

Colorado has struggled heavily when catching plus odds, posting just a 38.8% win rate as an underdog this season. This slide persists recently, with Colorado winning only 30.0% of their matchups as the underdog over their last 10 games. Conversely, the Under has been a profitable trend for Chicago, cashing in 70.0% of their last 10 contests. However, my analysis points toward the Over tonight due to the pitching vulnerabilities.
When analyzing the MLB public betting splits, the public action is incredibly one-sided. Chicago commands 87.5% of the moneyline ticket count and 97.0% of the total handle. The Over is similarly popular, drawing 84.8% of the tickets and 87.7% of the total money. There is no sharp vs public divide here, as the casual bettors and heavy money align perfectly. I am comfortable following this skewed betting action, as it matches my official game predictions.
Rockies vs Cubs Injury Report
Both dugouts are managing significant injuries, with 21 total players sidelined across the two rosters. Colorado is operating with a severely depleted outfield. The simultaneous losses of Brenton Doyle, Mickey Moniak, and Jordan Beck strip their defensive range. This lack of outfield coverage heavily benefits contact hitters who can drive the ball into the gaps, supporting my recommendation for Crow-Armstrong to record multiple total bases.
Chicago is navigating a massive injury crisis within their pitching staff. With Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Matthew Boyd unavailable, rotation depth is alarmingly thin. This forces Cabrera into a high-pressure situation to protect a bullpen missing high-leverage arms like Hunter Harvey. If Colorado chases Cabrera early, Chicago’s taxed relief corps will struggle to contain the damage late, providing another analytical pillar for betting the Over.
Ryan Potts is a veteran football and baseball content creator. He was previously a credentialed NFL media member, covering the draft, combine, and Super Bowl. He has been featured on Atlanta sports talk radio and Arizona student radio. Ryan is a journalism graduate from the University of Arizona.