The Colorado Rockies will try to rebound from a crushing Friday loss after blowing a 9-1 lead after six innings to lose to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in the first game of a weekend set. Today the Rockies will give the ball to LHP Glendon Rusch (1-2, 6.41 ERA) with hopes of picking up a win while the Cubs will counter with RHP Ryan Dempster (6-2, 2.56 ERA).
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook SBGglobal.com have installed the Cubs a 240-moneyline favorite with a 10 run total. Rockies backers are getting +200 ml juice on an underdog wager.
Dempster posted his eighth quality start of the season in his last outing against the Dodgers. The right-hander gave up seven hits over seven innings, the fourth time in his 11 starts he's pitched seven. Dempster also struck out three and escaped some tough jams. He's made the conversion from closer to starter look easy, but Dempster deserves credit for the hard work he's put in.
It's full circle for Rusch, a former Cub. Rusch last pitched for the Cubs in 2006, but the club released him after the season because of a blood clot in his right lung. Rusch made a comeback with the Padres this season, but was released after 12 appearances — the last of which was against the Rockies on May 9. Since signing with the Rockies, Rusch has given up one run in 11 innings at Triple-A Colorado Springs. Rusch replaces lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who has been moved to the bullpen.
The Cubs rallied for six runs in the seventh inning to come back and edge the Rockies 10-9 as a -150 favorite on Friday. The game's 19 runs sailed OVER the day's posted over/under (11).
Jim Edmonds homered and finished 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs to lead the way. Scott Eyre got the win in relief, and Kerry Wood closed out the game for his 13th save of the season.
Jeff Baker went 4-for-4 at the plate with one RBI for the Rockies, who were +138 underdogs in that game. Manuel Corpas gave up three runs in relief and was tagged with the loss.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Pick: Cubs -240 ML
