Chicago @ Colorado preview

Chi. Cubs at Colorado

Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 3, Colorado 9

The Colorado Rockies finally got the offensive breakout they've waited all month to see, and they'll try to duplicate it when they host the Chicago Cubs on Sunday in the rubber match of their three-game series. The Rockies erupted from their offensive slump in a 9-3 win Saturday - their highest run total since July 4 - as they evened the series and pulled within four games of National League West-leading Arizona. After a sluggish effort, the Cubs look to rebound and claim their first series victory at Colorado since a three-game sweep in 2004.

Momentum has been difficult for Colorado to build as it hasn't won consecutive games since taking the first two in a series with San Francisco on June 28-29. Chicago also has been inconsistent of late, alternating wins and losses over its last seven contests following a four-game winning streak from July 6-9. The Cubs lead the season series 3-2 heading into the final meeting of the year.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Edwin Jackson (6-10, 5.11 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (5-3, 2.56)

A rocky first half ended on a high note for Jackson, who threw seven scoreless innings last time out to beat the Cardinals for his third straight win. After beginning 1-8 and seeing his ERA climb to 6.29, Jackson is 5-2 with a 3.46 ERA over his last seven starts. The Rockies have pounded Jackson, as he is 1-2 with a 15.12 ERA in seven starts against them.

Chatwood continued his outstanding season with eight innings of one-run ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last start before the break, but he took the loss in a 1-0 defeat. The 23-year-old has recorded quality starts in four of his last five outings. Chatwood never has pitched against the Cubs and has only faced one current Chicago player in Nate Schierholtz, who is 1-for-4 with a homer against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado's top hitters have fared well against Jackson, with Carlos Gonzalez (5-for-7), Michael Cuddyer (5-for-9), Troy Tulowitzki (4-for-5) and Dexter Fowler (3-for-5) leading the way.

2. The Cubs lead the NL with 19 home runs in July and have gone deep in five straight games and 13 of 15 this month.

3. Even after Saturday's nine-run uprising, the Rockies are averaging 3.07 runs in 15 games this month.

PREDICTION: Rockies 4, Cubs 3