Colorado Rockies vs Chicago Cubs Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Wednesday June 17 2026
Use Code WWWC Chicago hosts Colorado at Wrigley Field with updated picks and top MLB player props for Wednesday night.
Best Available Odds
Best Moneyline Odds: Chicago Cubs (-185 at DraftKings) / Colorado Rockies (+170 at Caesars)
Best Spread Odds: Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+110 at DraftKings) / Colorado Rockies +1.0 (+108 at Caesars)
Best Total Odds: Over 10.5 (+110 at DraftKings) / Under 10.0 (-106 at FanDuel)
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
Game Info
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Time: 8:05 PM EDT
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
TV: Marquee Sports Network, Rockies.TV
Colorado Rockies vs Chicago Cubs Preview
The Chicago Cubs enter the series finale at 38-36 with a 21-16 home record. Chicago won Monday's opener 5-4 before dropping Tuesday's game 5-2, leaving the three-game series tied. The Cubs scored twice over the first two innings Tuesday but managed only one hit and one walk against four Colorado relievers over the final 4.1 innings.
Pete Crow-Armstrong has provided the biggest spark for the Chicago offense. He hit for the cycle in Monday's victory, then opened Tuesday's game with his second consecutive leadoff home run. Seiya Suzuki also collected two hits Tuesday after recently returning to the lineup following right knee discomfort.
The Cubs are dealing with growing pitching concerns. Tuesday starter Edward Cabrera left with a cramp in his right hand, while reliever Daniel Palencia was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Chicago still has the stronger overall roster, but the depleted pitching staff makes it important for Javier Assad to provide length in the series finale.
Colorado enters at 28-46 with a 14-26 road record. The Rockies rallied from an early two-run deficit Tuesday behind a Willi Castro RBI double and TJ Rumfield's two-run homer. Jake McCarthy went 3-for-5, while Colorado's bullpen protected the lead by allowing only two baserunners over the final 4.1 innings.
The Rockies remain well below .500, but they have already won three of their five meetings with the Cubs this season. Colorado took two of three at Coors Field last week and now has an opportunity to claim another series against Chicago.
Starting Pitchers and Pitching Matchup
The Cubs will start right-hander Javier Assad, who enters at 4-1 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts across 38.1 innings. Assad has made 10 appearances and four starts this season, limiting opponents through strong command and an ability to avoid damaging contact.
Assad has been especially effective since returning from Triple-A Iowa. He has thrown 12.1 consecutive scoreless innings across his last two appearances, giving Chicago a stabilizing option after Cabrera's abbreviated start forced the bullpen to cover 4.2 innings Tuesday.
Assad is not an overpowering strikeout pitcher, but he has issued only nine walks and allowed 30 hits this season. His 1.02 WHIP gives him a clear reliability advantage over a Colorado starter making only his second major-league appearance.
The Rockies counter with left-hander Sean Sullivan. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut against the Athletics on June 12 and threw three scoreless innings, allowing two hits without issuing a walk. He struck out two before leaving the game because of an illness.
Sullivan's debut was encouraging, but his Triple-A numbers were uneven. He went 5-3 with a 5.60 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts across 54.2 innings for Albuquerque. Sullivan allowed 66 hits and 34 earned runs in 11 starts, creating questions about how he will handle a deeper Chicago lineup at Wrigley Field.
Game Thesis: Chicago owns the stronger starting-pitching profile and the deeper lineup, making the Cubs the preferred side. Assad has delivered 12.1 scoreless innings since his recall, while Sullivan remains largely untested at the major-league level. Colorado's recent success against Chicago and the Cubs' bullpen injuries create some risk, but the matchup still gives the home team a strong path to winning by multiple runs.
⭐ Best Bet - Spread Pick: Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+110)
The Cubs run line is the strongest play because it avoids the heavy -185 moneyline price while backing a significant starting-pitching advantage. Assad has controlled baserunners throughout the season and enters in excellent form after two scoreless appearances.
Sullivan showed useful command in his debut, but he worked only three innings and now faces a Chicago lineup with several hitters capable of doing damage against left-handed pitching. Suzuki, Alex Bregman, Carson Kelly, Matt Shaw, and Dansby Swanson give the Cubs multiple right-handed options against the rookie.
Colorado's bullpen was excellent Tuesday, but its relief staff has struggled for much of the season. If Chicago forces Sullivan out before the middle innings, the Cubs should have enough opportunities to build separation. Chicago -1.5 at plus money offers better value than paying the full moneyline price.
Moneyline Pick: Chicago Cubs (-185)
The Cubs remain the more likely winner behind Assad and their home-field advantage. Chicago has a winning record at Wrigley Field, while Colorado has lost 26 of its first 40 road games.
Assad's command and recent scoreless run give Chicago the more dependable starter. Sullivan has only three major-league innings, and his Triple-A record included a 5.60 ERA and substantial traffic on the bases.
The concern is the price. Chicago has already lost three of five meetings with Colorado this season, including Tuesday's game as a heavy favorite. The Cubs moneyline is the safer selection, but the run line provides the stronger return.
Total Pick: Over 10.5 (+110)
The Over 10.5 is a higher-variance play built around Sullivan's limited experience, Colorado's vulnerable pitching depth, and favorable hitting conditions at Wrigley Field. The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-60s with wind blowing out, increasing the potential for fly balls to carry into the outfield seats.
Chicago has a path to produce most of the required scoring. Sullivan allowed 66 hits in 54.2 Triple-A innings, and the Cubs can attack the left-hander with several right-handed bats. Colorado could also create scoring opportunities against a Chicago bullpen missing Palencia and coming off another extended workload Tuesday.
Assad's recent form prevents the Over from ranking ahead of the Cubs run line. However, the plus-money price is playable in a game where Chicago can pressure Sullivan early and both bullpens may be required to record several outs.
Top Player Prop Picks
Seiya Suzuki Over 0.5 Hits (-230) Suzuki returned from his knee issue and collected two hits in Tuesday's loss. He also hit a grand slam against Colorado during Chicago's 9-3 victory at Coors Field on June 11. The right-handed hitter receives the platoon advantage against Sullivan and should have multiple opportunities to record one hit.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 Total Bases (-110) Crow-Armstrong enters as Chicago's hottest hitter. He hit for the cycle Monday and followed it with a leadoff home run Tuesday, extending his hitting streak to seven games. With five home runs, two triples, and four doubles over his last 10 games, Crow-Armstrong has several paths to clear this line with one extra-base hit.
Michael Busch Over 0.5 Hits (-170) Busch has combined a .248 batting average with a team-leading .379 on-base percentage. Although the left-on-left matchup against Sullivan is not ideal, the rookie's 1.55 Triple-A WHIP gives Busch opportunities to see pitches with runners on base. Busch can also cash the prop later against Colorado's right-handed relievers.
Never Tried Winners and Whiners? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code DOLLAR
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
- Check out more MLB predictions
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
