Colorado @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 13, 2013 ) Colorado 2, Chi. Cubs 0

The Chicago Cubs have been competitive in the early part of the season in large part because of their starting pitching, and that unit will be tested when they host the Colorado Rockies for a three-game set beginning Monday. Despite a recent cold snap, the Rockies boast one of the most productive offenses in the league, while the Cubs' starters have been among the best in the National League.

Chicago rode its pitching to two wins in Washington over the weekend and has won four of its last six. The Rockies have lost three straight series, though the offense broke out of its recent funk in an 8-2 win in the series finale at St. Louis on Sunday. Colorado had scored a total of eight runs in its previous six games and was blanked in the first two games with the Cardinals.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado), WCIU (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (3-0, 4.72 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Travis Wood (3-2, 2.33)

Nicasio hasn't recorded an out in the sixth inning since his first outing of the season. He went five innings his last time out, allowing two runs on two hits in a no-decision against the New York Yankees. Nicasio has never faced the Cubs, but he is 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA in six starts against NL Central teams.

Wood shut down St. Louis his last time out, holding the Cardinals to one run on five hits over 6 2/3 innings to earn his third win. He racked up a season-high eight strikeouts in his seventh consecutive quality start to begin the season. Wood is 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA in three games (two starts) against the Rockies.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs are 15-3 when allowing three runs or fewer and 0-19 when allowing four runs or more.

2. Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki (501) surpassed 500 career RBIs on Sunday, and Cubs OF David DeJesus (497) needs three RBIs to join him. Tulowitzki is the 81st active player to reach the milestone.

3. The Cubs and 1B Anthony Rizzo reportedly have agreed to a seven-year, $41 million contract extension through 2019 with two club options that could extend the deal through 2021. Rizzo, who turns 24 on Aug. 8, is hitting .280 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Rockies 3