Imanaga Gives Cubs 2024 Edge in Rockies Vs Cubs
rockies vs cubs tilts toward Chicago on Monday, June 15, because the Cubs bring the clearer starting pitching edge. Shota Imanaga is projected to face Michael Lorenzen, and the numbers behind both arms point in opposite directions.
Shota Imanaga’s run prevention
Imanaga has allowed two or fewer runs in four of five games against teams outside the Top-15 in OBP vs. lefties. He also sits in the 96th percentile in chase rate, a useful fit against a Colorado group that has not handled left-handed pitching well on the road.
Chicago also carries the stronger overall lineup profile. The Cubs rank fifth in OBP and are tied for ninth in runs, giving Imanaga more margin if he works efficiently through the order and keeps traffic off base.
Michael Lorenzen’s road numbers
Lorenzen brings a 7.54 ERA and a 1.90 WHIP into the matchup, with a first percentile ranking in Pitcher Run Value. That profile matches up poorly with the Cubs’ ability to get on base and create scoring chances without needing a long ball to do damage.
The Rockies’ split against lefties on the road adds more pressure. Excluding their most recent series against the Athletics, Colorado posted a.299 wOBA and.115 ISO on the road versus left-handed pitching, and it struck out more than 26% of the time in that split.
Colorado’s road split in focus
The road record tells the same story. Colorado is 13-25 away from home this season, a NL-worst mark that leaves little room for a pitching staff already chasing contact and results in tougher environments.
Chicago’s own recent pattern leans toward a lower-scoring game. The Cubs have hit the Game Total Under in 24 of their last 40 games, which gives this matchup a betting shape built around starting pitching and run suppression rather than a track meet. Todd Cordell’s preview framing points to that same edge: Chicago’s rotation advantage is the cleanest factor on the board, and it starts with Imanaga over Lorenzen.
