Colorado Rockies vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions August 29th 2025

A Defining Stretch Begins for the Cubs

With only a month remaining in the 2025 MLB regular season, the Chicago Cubs stand at a pivotal crossroads. Trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by six and a half games in the National League Central, the Cubs enter their weekend series against the Colorado Rockies knowing that every inning now holds playoff consequences. Friday night at Coors Field marks the beginning of a favorable stretch—18 consecutive games against sub-.500 opponents—and if the Cubs are to mount a serious division challenge, that push must begin now. Coming off a gutting three-game sweep at the hands of the San Francisco Giants, Chicago needs momentum, consistency, and contributions across the board to reassert itself in the postseason conversation.

Recent Form and Team Momentum

The Cubs arrive in Denver still licking their wounds from a disappointing stop in the Bay Area. Against a Giants club clinging to its own playoff dreams, Chicago fell short in all three contests, most recently losing a tightly fought 4-3 game on Thursday. That sweep ended a difficult nine-game road trip in which the Cubs went just 3-6—hardly the type of stretch you want when trying to gain ground in the standings. Yet despite those setbacks, hope remains. Chicago’s rotation has found its anchor in rookie Cade Horton, who will take the mound on Friday night against Colorado. Horton, whose page is profiled at Chicago Cubs, has not only solidified a rotation spot but is now in firm contention for National League Rookie of the Year honors.

The Colorado Rockies, meanwhile, come into the series in a vastly different state. With a 38-96 record, they sit at the bottom of the NL West and have long since been eliminated from postseason contention. Their recent form paints a grim picture, with six losses in their last seven games. However, there is a silver lining. The Rockies have posted a respectable 11-9 record at home since the All-Star break, and they’ll be looking to use Coors Field to play spoiler against a playoff-hopeful team like the Cubs. Fans following the Rockies can explore more on their page at Colorado Rockies.

Standings and the Playoff Implications

A quick look at the National League Central standings underscores just how urgent this series is for the Cubs.

That six-and-a-half game gap might not seem insurmountable, but with fewer than 30 games left, the Cubs cannot afford another series loss. They’ve been given a golden opportunity: nearly three straight weeks of baseball against struggling franchises. This includes upcoming matchups with the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and Washington Nationals—all teams well below .500. But it starts here, in the thin air of Denver, against a team that’s statistically inferior but unpredictable at home.

To keep up with daily shifts in standings and betting lines, fans can check the live boards on the Scores & Odds MLB page.

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Starting Pitchers: Horton vs Márquez

Few storylines this season have been more compelling than Cade Horton’s emergence as a legitimate frontline starter. Since the start of July, Horton has dropped his ERA nearly two full points—from 4.80 to 2.88—thanks to a run of dazzling starts. August, in particular, has been sensational. He enters this game with a 4-1 record and a minuscule 0.72 ERA for the month, fresh off a six-inning shutout performance against the Los Angeles Angels, where he struck out seven and allowed just three hits. For those watching Rookie of the Year odds, Horton is a prime contender. His demeanor, control, and ability to attack hitters early in counts have transformed the Cubs’ rotation.

German Márquez’s Return from the IL

Opposing Horton will be German Márquez, making his first start since July 20 after a stint on the injured list due to right-biceps tendinitis. Márquez’s season has been tumultuous. He began the year with a 9.00+ ERA through his first nine starts, but eventually settled in during late May and June, posting a 3.55 ERA across his last 11 appearances before hitting the shelf. Historically, Márquez has not fared well against the Cubs—he’s 1-3 with a 6.26 ERA in nine career starts versus Chicago. Still, the Rockies are hoping he can close out the year strong and give them 125 innings, which would be a small victory in a trying season.

Here’s a head-to-head comparison of the starting pitchers:

This matchup, which also occurred during their May 29 meeting at Wrigley, should be closely watched by bettors tracking pitcher props. For insight on advanced odds and betting strategy, refer to the Expert Betting Guide.

Key Offensive and Defensive Trends

The Cubs’ offensive identity remains somewhat enigmatic. They’ve had big nights, particularly from Matt Shaw and Kyle Tucker, but have also shown stretches of futility. Tucker, acquired at the trade deadline, has hit three homers in his last five games, while Shaw’s disciplined approach has made him a steady contributor. On the flip side, Seiya Suzuki’s prolonged slump has sapped some of the lineup’s balance. He’s just 3-for-19 over the past five games. The Cubs rely on getting on base early, manufacturing runs, and using aggressive base running to pressure defenses—especially on the road, where power numbers are typically diminished.

For Colorado, offensive production has been a recurring issue. They rank near the bottom in runs scored, and their approach with runners in scoring position has been abysmal. A recent example came during their 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros, when they went 1-for-7 with RISP despite notching eight total hits. The Rockies have leaned on players like Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle to provide a spark, but the lack of a consistent middle-of-the-order threat continues to hamper their run production.

Historical Matchup Overview

This will be the second series between these clubs in 2025. Their first meeting came in late May at Wrigley Field, where the Cubs swept the Rockies in a tightly contested three-game series. Chicago won each game by one run, thanks largely to stellar pitching and timely hitting. Horton and Márquez started the second game of that set, each going six innings and allowing two runs, though neither factored into the decision in the Cubs’ 4-3 win in 11 innings. The cumulative run total across those three games was just 14, a testament to how well both teams pitched despite Colorado’s pitching issues this season.

Betting Context and Line Movements

Entering Friday’s game, the Cubs are favored significantly at -229, with the Rockies posted at +188 on the moneyline. The total is set at 11, reflecting the unique scoring environment of Coors Field. Bettors should be wary, however, as Chicago has historically been vulnerable at altitude, and Márquez—when on—can be a difficult matchup due to his velocity and sharp curveball. But with Horton dealing and the Cubs hungry to gain ground, many bettors see value in the run line or in prop plays around strikeouts and earned runs.

For the latest betting insights and MLB predictions, consult the MLB Picks & Predictions section.