Chicago Cubs Send Rookie To Mound For Rockies Opener

The Chicago Cubs have set their pitching probables for their series with the Colorado Rockies, which starts on Monday at Coors Field.

The first two games of the series are set for 7:40 p.m. central, while the finale on Wednesday is set for 2:10.

Cubs rookie Jordan Wicks (3-0, 2.16) is expected to start against the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland (6-14, 5.09).

Wicks is coming off his third straight win against San Francisco on Wednesday. He made his first quality start, going 6.2 innings while allowing nine hits and two earned runs. He walked none and struck out one. The left-hander will be going for his fourth straight win as the Cubs try to make up ground in the National League Central race.

Freeland, also a left-hander, won his last start against Arizona on Tuesday. In that game he went six innings, giving up six hits and two earned runs. He struck out two and walked three. In his last seven starts he is 2-3 with a 5.90 ERA, with 25 strikeouts and seven walks in 39.2 innings.

Right-hander Javier Assad (3-3, 2.83) is expected to start Tuesday’s game for the Cubs against Rockies right-hander Chris Flexen (1-7, 7.36).

Assad took the loss against Arizona on Thursday, going 5.1 innings and allowing seven hits and three earned runs. He walked one and struck out none. In his last seven games, all starts, the former reliever is 2-1 with a 2.34 ERA, with 27 strikeouts and 11 walks in his last 42.1 innings.

Flexen lost his last appearance against Arizona on Wednesday, going 2.1 innings and allowing four hits and six earned runs. He struck out three and walked two. In his last seven starts he is 1-2 with a 6.43 ERA, with 27 strikeouts and seven walks and 35 innings.

Jameson Taillon (7-9, 5.27) is expected to start for the Cubs in Wednesday’s finale against Rockies left-hander Ty Blach (2-1, 4.58).

Taillon took a no-decision in his last start against Arizona on Friday, as he worked six innings and gave up one hit. He struck out nine and walked one. It was one of best starts in recent weeks, as he is 1-5 with a 5.03 ERA in his last seven starts. He has 40 strikeouts and four walks in his last 39.1 innings.

Blach last threw on Friday against San Francisco, where he gave up eight hits and four earned runs in five innings. He struck out six and walked one. In his last seven starts he is 1-1 with a 4.78 ERA. He has struck out 25 and walked thirteen in his last 37.2 innings.

After the Cubs wrap up their series with the Rockies, they have Thursday off before they begin a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Friday.