Chicago Cubs vs Colorado Rockies MLB Game Preview

Opening Hook

Fifteen games above .500 on May 8. Then 5-18 over the next stretch. The Chicago Cubs vs Colorado Rockies series at Coors Field arrives at EXACTLY the wrong time for a Chicago squad in genuine freefall — and exactly the RIGHT time for Denver fans craving a must-watch midweek baseball night!

The Colorado Rockies have dropped four straight heading into this one, but a struggling Cubs offense might be the tonic a Rockies pitching staff desperately needs. This is the one.

Chicago Cubs vs Colorado Rockies: Matchup Analysis

Here's the thing: the numbers on both sides tell a complicated story. The Cubs sit at 22-29-2, tied for third in the NL Central, 8 games back of Milwaukee — but that record masks a team that ranked 27th in OPS in May, went 22-29-2 that month, and has stumbled to an 0-2 start in June. In May alone, Chicago hit just 25 home runs while the pitching staff surrendered 46 runs. Their last 10 games? A pedestrian 4-6. (Trust me, that's not the vibe you want heading into mid-June.)

Colorado is in a DEEPER hole. The Rockies are sitting dead last in the NL West, 18 games back of Los Angeles — and they've lost four straight entering this series.

On the Mound

For Chicago, Shota Imanaga takes the ball with 74 strikeouts leading the Cubs and a 4.74 ERA this season, per team leaders data. Probable pitcher game-specific lines were not fully populated at time of writing. Troy Johnston is hitting .314, the best average on the Colorado roster.

The contrarian angle here: everyone's hyped on Chicago's offensive slump, but their pitching — ERA of 4.29, WHIP of 1.23, and 20 quality starts — is genuinely keeping this team alive in games. I'd argue it's the storyline nobody's talking about.

Colorado's staff, meanwhile, has been one of the most hittable in baseball — which is where this series could swing HARD in Chicago's favor if the Cubs bats can finally find something at altitude.

Injury Report. Both teams carry injury concerns. Colorado lists multiple relievers on the IL along with outfield absences. Chicago has rotation depth issues, with multiple starters on the 15-day and one pitcher listed as out, per injury report data.

As Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon put it: "This has been a wake-up call. I hope for everyone, it definitely has been for me. Nothing's going to be handed to us... it's just going to take a lot of work to dig ourselves out of this." That's either the sign of a team turning a corner — or one still desperately searching for answers.

Odds and Betting Angles

Betting odds were not available for this matchup at time of writing. Looking for the best odds on Tuesday's Cubs-Rockies game? Check the latest lines before heading out to catch first pitch at Coors Field.

Broadcast Info

First pitch at Coors Field is set for 6:40 PM MT on Tuesday, June 9. The game broadcasts on Marquee Sports Network for Cubs fans and Rockies.TV for Colorado's home audience, per broadcast data. Streaming is available nationally via MLB.TV for out-of-market viewers. Check your local cable or streaming package for Marquee Sports Network availability if you're watching from outside Chicago.

Where to Watch in Denver

Denver's bar scene doesn't need a pennant race to bring the energy — but a mid-week Cubs series at Coors Field? The city is BUZZING right now. Here are the spots to pull up for the best sports bar experience in Denver.

Stoney's Sloan's Lake at 1565 N Raleigh Street is a casual neighborhood anchor with 6 TVs and an 85/100 quality rating. It's the kind of place where regulars know the bartenders by name and every pitch gets a roar.

The dive bar experience takes center stage at Swanky's Vittles and Libations on Blake Street, which carries an 85/100 quality score. Dive bars and baseball go together like extra innings and cold beer — Swanky's is where the REAL fans land.

Ambler at 1801 Wewatta Street is a casual option also rated 85/100, located near the heart of the city and an easy pull-up for anyone commuting straight from downtown after work.

Nocturne at 1330 27th St. rounds out the casual tier — 85/100 quality rating, and a vibe that fits a mid-week baseball crowd looking for low-key but electric energy.

If you want elevated views to match the elevated stakes of a Cubs team trying to stop the bleeding, Rooftop Bar at 6985 E Chenango Ave brings the upscale energy to game night.

Also worth knowing: Odell Brewing Five Points Brewhouse at 2945 Larimer St in the Five Points neighborhood offers a family-friendly vibe with craft beer on tap — solid for an early-evening game day that doesn't eat your whole night. Seven Grand at 1855 Blake St Suite 160 brings a casual but polished feel to the Blake Street corridor, right in the thick of the action near Coors Field. Bring the crew to any of these — standing room fills FAST when the Cubs come to town.

Final Take: Chicago Cubs vs Colorado Rockies

Look, this series arrives at a crossroads moment for Chicago — probably THE moment that defines their season. The Cubs are 22-29-2, still technically in the playoff picture, but the 5-18 stretch since May 8 has absolutely erased what felt like a comfortable cushion. A 27th-ranked OPS in May? That tells you everything. Imanaga leads Chicago's pitching staff with 74 strikeouts this season, and if the Cubs offense can put early pressure on the Rockies, Chicago should find a way to win this one.

Should.

Denver, find the best bars to watch the game in Denver, grab your seat, and don't miss this one play out. This is must-watch baseball.

This article was drafted with AI assistance and edited for accuracy, voice, and local context. Editorial decisions, fact-checking, and quality scoring are handled by our editorial pipeline. Learn more about our editorial process.