Rockies at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 28
With a 4-3 win yesterday, the Cubs took the first two games of the series 2-0. In the bottom of the 11th, Matt Shaw sealed the victory for the Cubs on a walk-off
single.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We've got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game details & how to watch Rockies at Cubs
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Time: 8:05PM EST
Site: Wrigley Field
City: Chicago, IL
Network/Streaming: Marquee Sports Network, Rockies.TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Rockies at the Cubs
The latest odds as of Wednesday:
Moneyline: Rockies (+274), Cubs (-347)
Spread: Cubs -1.5
Total: 7.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Rockies at Cubs
Pitching matchup for May 28, 2025: Tanner Gordon vs. Matthew Boyd
Rockies: Tanner Gordon, (1-1, 4.38 ERA)
Last outing (New York Yankees, 5/23): 6.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 5 StrikeoutsCubs: Matthew Boyd, (4-2, 3.42 ERA)
Last outing (Cincinnati Reds, 5/23): 4.0 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
Rockies: Tanner Gordon, (1-1, 4.38 ERA)
Last outing (New York Yankees, 5/23): 6.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
Cubs: Matthew Boyd, (4-2, 3.42 ERA)
Last outing (Cincinnati Reds, 5/23): 4.0 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
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Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rockies at Cubs
The Cubs have won 7 of their last 8 home games, while the Rockies have lost 17 in 20
The UNDER is 6-3-1 in the last 10 Rockies games
The Cubs are showing a profit of 1.98 units on the Run Line in their last 5 games at Wrigley Field
The OVER is 6-2-2 in the last 10 Cubs games
If you're looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight's game between the Rockies and the Cubs
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Rockies and the Cubs:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC
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Fox Sports
18 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
2025 MLB Trade Deadline: Biggest Needs, Player Fits For Top Contenders
Now that the Rafael Devers saga in Boston is over, we shouldn't expect any major movement during next week's MLB trade deadline, right? Not exactly. While it's true that we might not see another player of Devers' caliber get moved, plenty of action should still be expected in the days ahead of the July 31 deadline. More than a handful of teams are still in the process of figuring out if they'll be buying, selling or doing a little of both. Let's take a look at the biggest need for the top contenders. For the purposes of this exercise, we included every team that's within two games of a playoff spot — and one possible target who could fit the mold. Arms race Chicago Cubs (60-42, 2nd in NL Central) Biggest Need: Starting pitching Possible Target: Seth Lugo, SP, Kansas City Royals There's not a team in baseball that should be more committed to going all-in than the Cubs, who traded for one season of Kyle Tucker and could use another championship-caliber arm in the rotation to get where they hope to go. Lugo doesn't have the overpowering stuff of an ace, but his vast arsenal should make him someone they can feel comfortable giving the ball to in October. Now, how many chips are they willing to push in to pull off something even more impactful? What would it take for MacKenzie Gore? It's at least worth the ask. Toronto Blue Jays (60-42, 1st in AL East) Biggest Need: Starting pitching Possible Target: Mitch Keller, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates The Blue Jays have made their run atop the AL East despite a rotation ERA that ranks 24th in MLB. They could use another starter they can trust in the playoffs, and with Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer both free agents at the end of the year, it certainly wouldn't hurt if that addition was a controllable piece. Keller, who's 29, has a 2.59 ERA over his last eight starts, and signed a five-year, $77 million extension before last season in Pittsburgh, would fit the bill. So would Miami's Edward Cabrera, if they can muster enough prospects to make that deal happen. Boston Red Sox (55-49, 3rd in AL East) Biggest Need: Starting pitching Possible Target: Edward Cabrera, SP, Miami Marlins Could they trade from their surplus of big-league outfielders to acquire another impact starter behind Garrett Crochet? It's certainly possible. But their farm system is deep enough that they could also land that pitcher other ways. It would cost a lot, but pairing Crochet and Brayan Bello with a young, controllable piece like Cabrera, who has a 2.47 ERA since the start of May and is under team control through 2028, could be enticing. San Francisco Giants (54-49, 3rd in NL West) Biggest Need: Starting pitching Possible Target: Adrian Houser, SP, Chicago White Sox It wouldn't be a shock to see the Giants add more offense — they rank 28th in OPS since acquiring Devers — but starting pitching has also emerged as a need. Their starters have an ERA over 5.00 in July. After making their big splash already, I don't necessarily expect them to go find a Game 1 playoff starter. But adding someone like Houser, who has a 1.89 ERA in 10 starts for the White Sox, could help stabilize the group. Looking for relief Los Angeles Dodgers (60-43, 1st in NL West) Biggest Need: Relief pitching Possible Target: Ryan Helsley, RP, St. Louis Cardinals President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman's goal after another offseason of significant spending was not to buy in July. Unfortunately, their pitching staff — which has a 4.28 ERA this year — has been an injured mess again. Fixing the bullpen was an obvious requirement even before closer Tanner Scott left his outing Monday with a stinging sensation in his forearm. The Dodgers could be in the market for an outfielder and a starter, too, but high-end relief pitching should be their primary focus at the deadline, even with Blake Treinen due back soon. Detroit Tigers (60-43, 1st in AL Central) Biggest Need: Relief pitching Possible Target: Griffin Jax, RP, Minnesota Twins It may seem strange to those who haven't watched much of the first-place Tigers this year, considering it was their medley of relievers and "pitching chaos" that got them to the ALDS last year, but their bullpen ranks 20th in ERA and 27th in strikeout rate. It's been an alarming problem lately, as their relievers have tallied a 5.79 ERA in July with as many saves (four) as blown saves (four). Jax has the seventh-highest strikeout rate and fifth-highest strikeout-to-walk ratio among qualified relievers this year. Philadelphia Phillies (58-44, 2nd in NL East) Biggest Need: Relief pitching Possible Target: David Bednar, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates The Phillies had questions in the bullpen even before José Alvarado was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Now that he's unavailable for the postseason, and that Jordan Romano's ERA is still over 6.00, it's imperative that they add another reliable late-inning arm (in addition, perhaps, to another outfielder). From Bednar to Emmanuel Clase to Jhoan Duran, there are a lot of impact closers potentially available, but they will come at a significant cost, as none of them are rentals. New York Mets (59-44, 1st in NL East) Biggest Need: Relief pitching Possible Target: Danny Coulombe, RP, Minnesota Twins The Mets still possess the lowest overall ERA of any club in the National League, but the bullpen has a 4.42 ERA in July. With lefties A.J. Minter and Danny Young out for the year, it'd make sense to try to add a southpaw in front of closer Edwin Díaz. While there are a lot of big-name, back-end pieces potentially available, there aren't a lot of standout left-handers. Coulombe, who has a 0.93 ERA for the Twins, or JoJo Romero, who has allowed just one earned run in his last 27 appearances for the Cardinals, would be among the intriguing options. Infield help Milwaukee Brewers (61-41, 1st in NL Central) Biggest Need: Power Possible Target: Eugenio Suárez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks Sure, this isn't the type of big swing (no pun intended) that the Brewers usually take. They could go a number of different ways here, and it's probably more likely they opt for smaller moves to upgrade the bullpen. But the one thing their young, speedy, contact-first offense is missing is a serious power threat. There's no one better on the market to fill that void than Suárez, who has nearly twice as many homers (36) as the Brewers' top home run hitter (Christian Yelich: 19). Suárez is a rental, so adding him wouldn't be a long-term financial burden for the thrifty club. In addition, they have the pitching capable of intriguing Arizona. The Brewers have more arms than they can use. They've shocked the world with their play thus far; getting the prize of the deadline would be another stunner. Time to go for it. New York Yankees (56-46, 2nd in AL East) Biggest Need: Third base Possible Target: Ryan McMahon, 3B, Colorado Rockies It's certainly possible they do what's necessary to acquire Suárez, who would be a great fit. But even if he's not ultimately the answer, the Jorbit Vivas/Oswald Peraza pairing at third base needs to be upgraded as the Yankees try to make a return trip to the World Series. McMahon or Kansas City's Maikel Garcia would represent obvious offensive upgrades at third base and are also strong defenders at the position. It wouldn't be shocking to see them get another starting pitcher, either. Seattle Mariners (54-48, 2nd in AL West) Biggest Need: Corner infield Possible Target: Ryan O'Hearn, 1B, Baltimore Orioles Among players currently on their roster, the Mariners have gotten five home runs from their third basemen and six from their first basemen. (Rowdy Tellez, who had 11 homers in Seattle, was released in June.) I'd expect them to add at least one corner infielder, and they possess the prospects to land O'Hearn, Josh Naylor or one of the top slugging rentals. Houston Astros (60-42, 1st in AL West) Biggest Need: Left-handed bat (among many things) Possible Target: Willi Castro, UTIL, Minnesota Twins With 17 players on the injured list, the first-place Astros could go a lot of different directions here. How does the latest, a hamstring injury to Isaac Paredes, potentially alter their priorities? Getting a player like Castro, who can hit from both sides and move around the diamond, potentially filling multiple needs as the Astros wait for reinforcements, would make sense. A reunion with starter Charlie Morton would also fill a need. Wild cards San Diego Padres (55-47, 2nd in NL West) Biggest Need: Left fielder/another bat Possible Target: Ramon Laureano, OF, Baltimore Orioles This is one of the most interesting teams to watch at the deadline considering their various needs and A.J. Preller's willingness to deal. They have to find a way to add lineup depth, and a left fielder or DH would make a lot of sense. Could we see a deal that involves Dylan Cease going to Boston and Jarren Duran going to San Diego? In theory, that could help solve problems for both teams. There are plenty of other options, though, from Laureano to Cedric Mullins to Luis Robert Jr. They're willing to move players around, so I don't think they'd have any hesitation to move a center fielder to left, and Robert possesses the type of upside that could entice Preller. Texas Rangers (53-50, 3rd in AL West) Biggest Need: Another bat…anywhere Possible Target: Josh Naylor, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks The Rangers are still on the outside of the playoff picture, 1.5 games back in the wild-card race. But after winning eight of their last 10 games, and with a pitching staff that has by far the lowest ERA in the majors, it seems more likely they'd be buyers or stand pat than sell. It's no mystery that the offense could use a boost just about anywhere. The Rangers rank in the bottom 10 in RBI at both first base and DH, and Naylor could help drive in runs at either spot. Tampa Bay Rays (53-50, 4th in AL East) Biggest Need: Relief pitching? Outfield? Possible Target: Dennis Santana, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates Like the Rangers, the Rays are also 53-50 and 1.5 games back of a wild-card spot. Unlike the Rangers, they're trending the wrong direction, having lost 12 of 18 games in July. The Rays, who acquired reliever Bryan Baker from the Orioles earlier this month, could really go any direction at this point. It's possible they do a little buying and a little selling. If they do the former, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them either scour the outfield market or continue to bolster the bullpen. Right-handed hitters are batting .262 against the Tampa Bay bullpen this year, which is the fifth-highest mark in MLB. Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner . recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more


Newsweek
19 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Pirates Starter Tagged As Best Available By MLB Insider As Deadline Nears
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to underperform despite having the best pitcher in the league, Paul Skenes, on their roster, which has kept them in the cellar of the National League Central. With the deadline approaching, the Pirates have the best right-handed starter on the market, and it's not Skenes but rather his teammate Mitch Keller, according to Mark Feinsand. PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 22: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on July 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 22: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on July 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images Keller has been a solid arm for the Pirates with 15 quality starts in 21 starts this season, and yet he is 4-10 entering Thursday. The right-hander has a 3.53 ERA for the Pirates and is going to be a sought-after pitcher on the market for teams looking for a controllable arm this season. Keller won't be a free agent until 2029 and will come with a price tag that can help the Pirates for the future as they try to build around Skenes and Oneil Cruz. With the trade deadline next week, the Pirates are expected to be active as they are out of the playoff mix and are looking forward to next season and beyond. Keller could be a piece that moves to bring in the future, but has also served as a good pairing to Skenes in the Pittsburgh rotation. Keller could net MLB-ready hitting as they look to build, and with top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler waiting to make his way to PNC Park, the Pirates will almost certainly be fine with moving the starter. Keller has shown promise at the major league level, and it begs the question of how big of jump he will make with a competitive team to surround him. More MLB: Royals Reportedly Willing To Trade, Looking To Compete Next Year


Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
3 Best Trade Destinations For Cleveland Guardians Star Closer Emmanuel Clase
Every MLB contender wants to improve its bullpen at the trade deadline, but how about going a step further and trading for arguably the best closer in baseball in Cleveland Guardians reliever Emmanuel Clase? Cleveland is 51-51, 8.5 games out of first place in the American League Central as of July 24's loss and reportedly listening to trade offers for several of its best players, including Clase. Of course, they're also just three games out of an American League wild-card seed. Prying the two-time Reliever of the Year away from Cleveland will be difficult, as the 27-year-old Clase is under team control through 2028. But where there's a will, there's a way. All it takes is one team who feels their time is now to make a pennant run to make the trade offer deemed acceptable. Here are the three best trade destinations for Clase. 3. Los Angeles Dodgers The idea of the Dodgers, of all teams, making a blockbuster move to shore up a loose end sounds laughable. But removing the context of their historic two-year spending spree, L.A. needs help in its bullpen. The Dodgers entered Thursday with a 3.87 ERA, good for 23rd in MLB. Tanner Scott, who Los Angeles signed to a four-year, $72 million deal last offseason, leads MLB with seven blown saves and has a 4.14 ERA this season, and fellow free-agent signing Kirby Yates has underwhelmed (4.45 ERA). Clase would immediately become the Dodgers' new closer, moving Scott, who recently went on the 15-day injured list due to elbow inflammation, into a set-up role when healthy. The right-handed Clase, who primarily throws a cutter and mixes in a slider, hits triple-digits on the radar, has pitched in the postseason and is as difficult to hit as any reliever in baseball. Clase would add a pitcher who induces weak contact and keeps runners off the basepaths to a Dodgers' bullpen that's currently surrendering 1.13 home runs per nine innings (27th in MLB); he would provide late-game clarity for manager Dave Roberts. Los Angeles could base a trade offer to Cleveland for Clase around right-handers Ben Casparius and Edgardo Henriquez and one of outfield prospects Eduardo Quintero and Mike Sirota. What could stop the Dodgers from pursuing Clase, though, is their potentially feeling that they could acquire one, if not two, other quality relievers for a lower price and bank on one of Scott and Yates pitching better late in the season. 2. Detroit Tigers Yes, making a divisional trade, let alone one involving a player of Clase's caliber, is challenging. That said, the Tigers making a move with the AL Central-rival Guardians for Clase would pay major dividends. Will Vest has pitched well as the Tigers' full-time closer this season, posting a 2.23 ERA over 41 appearances. At the same time, Detroit entered Thursday with a 3.83 bullpen ERA, good for 22nd in the sport. Vest could move back to a set-up role, which he previously found success in from 2023-24, while Detroit forms one of the best one-two reliever punches in the sport with Clase and the 30-year-old right-hander. Clase would also improve a Tigers' bullpen that's averaging 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings (24th in MLB). Detroit has an improved offense that's sixth in MLB in runs (491) and an electric starting rotation headlined by 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson and Casey Mize. The one part of this team that could use improvement is its bullpen, and acquiring Clase takes the pressure off Vest and Co. to seal the deal in the late innings. Detroit could base a trade offer for Clase around catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo and right-hander Troy Melton. All that said, the Tigers may refrain from trading for Clase under the impression that getting more efficiency in the middle-to-long relief roles would be more impactful than throwing a haymaker at improving the ninth inning, which has been fine as is. 1. Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies need help in the bullpen, and Clase offers an emphatic solution. Free agent signee Jordan Romano (6.69 ERA) has been unable to return to All-Star form in Philadelphia and veteran reliever Jose Alvarado is ineligible to pitch in the postseason due to the use of a performance-enhancing substance. Whether it's because of somebody struggling or a pitcher being unable to pitch down the road, the Phillies need answers in the back end of the bullpen. Ironically, Clase boasts a career-high in both ERA and WHIP this season. But those figures come out to a 2.74 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. That's considered a "bad year" for Clase, who posted an absurd 0.61 ERA and 0.66 WHIP in 2024. The right-hander is an intimidating force who would provide stability to a Philadelphia bullpen that entered Thursday 19th in MLB with a 3.64 ERA and one that's surrendering 1.12 home runs per nine innings (tied for 25th). Philadelphia could base a Clase trade package around infield prospect Aroon Escobar and outfielder and 2022 third-round draft pick Gabriel Rincones Jr., among others. It's a move that would be a long-term fix, as the Phillies would have Clase through 2028. With Clase holding down the ninth, manager Rob Thomson could lean into Orion Kerkering and Tanner Banks continuing to improve and be set in the late innings moving forward. And if Romano gets back on track, their bullpen is that much deeper. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Major League Baseball Cleveland Guardians Emmanuel Clase recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more