Colorado @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Mar 23, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 10, Colorado 8
The Colorado Rockies can credit stellar starting pitching - and more importantly some brilliant work by their bullpen - for their five-game winning streak. Manager Jim Tracy will look for more of the same on Friday as the Rockies vie for their 10th win in 12 outings when they visit the Chicago Cubs. Colorado held the struggling New York Mets to just five runs en route to completing a four-game sweep with a 1-0 triumph on Thursday.
Chicago will begin an impressive stretch of home cooking as it will play 20 of its next 30 at Wrigley Field. Friday's series opener against Colorado will begin a 10-game homestand. The Cubs are trying to collect themselves after dropping four straight before enjoying an off-day on Thursday.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Drew Pomeranz (1-7, 4.87 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (8-11, 4.17)
The season has certainly gotten away from Pomeranz, who has dropped four in a row and registered his lone win on July 6. The 23-year-old, who has pitched just four innings in each of his last four starts, yielded four walks in a no-decision versus Miami on Sunday. Pomeranz has yet to face the Astros in his young career.
Samardzija suffered his third loss in four outings after being touched for three homers in a 5-3 loss to Cincinnati on Saturday. The 27-year-old had pitched seven solid innings in each of his previous two starts. Samardzija has made four career appearances versus the Rockies, but has yet to record a decision. Friday's outing will be Samardzija's team-high 25th start.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado OF Dexter Fowler sat out Thursday's contest with a sprained ankle. Fowler was seen using crutches on Thursday as Tyler Colvin started in his place.
2. Chicago OF Alfonso Soriano has collected 15 RBIs in his last 16 games.
3. The Cubs claimed RHP Miguel Socolovich off waivers from Baltimore and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa.