Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies: Odds, Analysis, MLB Betting Pick

The Colorado Rockies (11-9) are expected to get a big boost to their lineup Friday, when they host the Chicago Cubs (8-8) in a pick'em matchup at Coors Field.

The Rockies will have third baseman Nolan Arenado back from a five-game suspension for the opener of this three-game set.

MLB betting line: The Cubs opened as -108 favorites (wager $108 to win $100); the total is at 10.5 runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.

MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 5.7-4.9, Rockies. MLB picks on every game.

Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.

Why the Cubs Can Pay on the MLB Lines

Like Colorado, Chicago recently welcomed back a key cog when first baseman Anthony Rizzo was activated off the disabled list. Rizzo returned to form Thursday, going 3-for-4 in an 8-5 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. He had gone 0-for-11 in his previous three games to see his batting average dip below .100.

The Cubs will have righty Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 3.71 ERA) on the mound and searching for his first victory after three solid starts. Last year, Hendricks was a tough-luck loser at Coors, allowing just two earned runs and four hits in 6.1 innings of a 3-0 defeat while walking two and striking out seven.

Why the Rockies Can Pay on the MLB Lines

Arenado's presence in the lineup can only help considering Colorado scored just two runs in three of the five games he missed after dropping his appeal and serving his suspension for his role in a brawl against the San Diego Padres. The Rockies went 3-2 during that stretch though, and they are hoping he will start crushing the ball like he did a year ago, when he totaled 37 home runs and 130 RBI.

Opposing Hendricks on the hill will be Jon Gray (1-3, 6.23), who got pounded in his lone home start this season. Gray gave up seven runs and 10 hits to San Diego in five innings of a 7-6 loss on April 9, but he was outstanding at Coors in 2017, with a 5-1 mark and 3.13 ERA in eight starts.

Smart Betting Pick

Chicago has been incredibly inconsistent this season, stringing together consecutive wins only once en route to its .500 record. The Cubs have also seen five of their games postponed because of bad weather already, so that has played a role in preventing them from getting into a groove.

Regardless, they went just 2-5 versus Colorado last season, according to the OddsShark MLB Database, dropping four of the past five games between the teams, with three of those played at Wrigley. Look for Gray and the Rockies to take the first game of this series to make it five wins in six meetings.

MLB betting trends

The total has gone under in five of Chicago's past six games on the road.

Colorado is 6-2 in its past eight games.

The total has gone under in four of Colorado's past five games at home.

All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.