Coming into Wrigley Field on the heels of back-to-back series wins, the Colorado Rockies are looking to reverse their road woes against a Chicago Cubs team that has been in freefall at home, currently in the midst of a franchise record 13-game home losing streak.
Antonio Senzatela (2-9, 4.58 ERA) has had a stretch of rough luck lately, delivering four quality starts in his last five appearances, but still going winless in that stretch. In fact, you’d have to rewind all the way to June 2nd for Senza’s last win. He faced the Cubs during their trip to Coors earlier this month, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4 2⁄3 innings of work, and is 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA in his career against the Cubs.
For the Cubs, Kyle Hendricks (14-5, 4.04 ERA) is on pace for a career-worst ERA (by his high standards) but is nonetheless leading the MLB in wins on a Cubs team that hasn’t had a lot of bright spots this year. The former Dartmouth righty has been on a tear as summer has heated up — four of his five losses on the year came before May 10th — but likely won’t be expecting much in terms of run support, as the Cubs have averaged fewer than four runs per game over their last 10. This will be his first start against the Rockies this season, and he is 3-3 with a 4.07 ERA against them in his career.
While home cooking certainly has been the Rockies only recipe for success this season, the Cubs recent struggles will hopefully give them some confidence. The Cubs are 4-17 since their fire sale at the July 30th trade deadline, though Hendricks was predictably on the mound for two of those wins. The Rockies will look to put up some runs against him early to give Senzatela the support he needs.
First Pitch: 6:05pm MDT
TV: AT&T Sports Net Rocky Mountain; MLB.tv
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Lineups:
New day.
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 23, 2021
New series.
New lineup.
New road graphics package.
LET’S GO! pic.twitter.com/eDjsMij1k2
Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup against the Rockies. pic.twitter.com/WvNjxlYFj8
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 23, 2021