Since they last saw the Rockies 10 days ago at Coors Field, the Cubs have lost their firm footing on a playoff spot, going 2-7 between matchups against a young Colorado team that’s spiraling toward 100 losses.

But if the Cubs’ confidence is wavering, it was hard to tell from watching them against the Rockies on Friday afternoon.

Jameson Taillon pitched six shutout innings with seven strikeouts, and Seiya Suzuki accounted for four of Chicago’s runs as the Rockies lost 6-0 at Wrigley Field. It was Colorado’s fifth consecutive defeat and 97th of the season, coming off a sweep in San Diego. Nine games remain in 2023, all of which are against playoff teams.

The Cubs wouldn’t have been in the playoffs if the season ended Friday morning, but the lopsided series opener vs. Colorado kept them barely above water in the crowded National League wild card hunt with Miami, Arizona, Cincinnati and San Francisco.

The Rockies drew seven walks but couldn’t take advantage, stranding 10 runners on the day. On four occasions, including in three of the first four innings, they put runners at first and second base but couldn’t advance a runner to third. They finished the game 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, grounded into three double plays and struck out nine times. Brenton Doyle registered the team’s only extra-base hit, a two-out double in the ninth.

Taillon’s 101st and final pitch induced one of those double plays to get out of the sixth inning with Chicago ahead 3-0.

On the mound for Colorado, Noah Davis went five innings in his fifth career MLB start, matching his longest outing so far (April 16). If not for Suzuki, his solid performance would have been even more spotless. With the bases loaded and two outs in the first inning, Suzuki smacked a single into left field for a 1-0 lead that would have been twice that if not for Nolan Jones. With a perfect no-hop throw, the rookie left fielder’s 17th outfield assist of the season tied Lane Thomas for the major league lead.

Next time Suzuki batted, he decided not to leave a second RBI up to chance. Davis left a slider over the middle of the plate at the letters, and Suzuki crushed a no-doubt two-run homer over Jones’ head in left.

It was Suzuki’s 20th of the season. He finished 3 for 4 and scored another run.

Throughout his start, Davis worked around the obstacles he put in front of himself. He walked three and hit another batter, but he struck out four and limited the Cubs to four hits. When he handed the ball to Gavin Hollowell and the bullpen, Colorado was within striking distance even without having supplied any run support.

But Hollowell allowed another two-run home run, this time the first in the career of Chicago’s Jared Young. The Cubs overcame the Rockies this time with power and speed, complementing the home runs with three stolen bases spread throughout the afternoon.

Saturday’s pitching matchup

Rockies RHP Chris Flexen (1-8, 7.19 ERA) at Cubs LHP Jordan Wicks (3-1, 2.67)

12:20 p.m. Saturday, Wrigley Field

TV: AT&T SportsNet

Radio: 630 AM

Flexen is searching for his first winning decision since Aug. 4 in St. Louis. Since then, the Rockies’ mid-season acquisition has a 6.42 ERA, and opponents are batting .298 against him with an .866 OPS. He has managed to maintain a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio during this stretch, however, fanning 35 and only issuing nine free passes. In his start against the Cubs on Sept. 12 at Coors Field, Flexen put forth one of his grittiest outings of the season, allowing three earned runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. Chicago is sending the rookie Wicks to the mound for his sixth career start as the Cubs try to keep their playoff positioning. Wicks is trying to bounce back from the shortest of his five starts (4 1/3 innings), but he hasn’t allowed more than three runs yet in a game. Against Colorado on Sept. 11, he went six strong innings with one run allowed. He hasn’t given up a home run since his debut Aug. 26 in Pittsburgh.

Pitching probables

Sunday: Rockies LHP Ty Blach (3-2, 5.32) at Cubs RHP Javier Assad (4-3, 3.04), 12:20 p.m., ATTRM

Monday: Off day

Tuesday (double-header): Dodgers TBA at Rockies TBA, Game 1 1:10 p.m., Game 2 6:40 p.m., ATTRM

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