Chad Bettis (6-4, 4.69 ERA) and Robbie Ray (3-10, 3.86 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a four-game series between the Colorado Rockies (52-76) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (63-67) at Coors Field. Action begins at 8:40 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 31 and can be seen on RTRM and FSAZ.
Bettis pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out four and walking two in a 5-1 win over the Braves. Carlos Gonzalez (.271, 70 Rs, 31 HRs, 72 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Ray went 3.0 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out three and walking five in a 9-1 defeat to the Cardinals in his most recent start. David Peralta (.304, 50 Rs, 14 HRs, 70 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Colorado is a slim -110 favorite at home against Arizona. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at 10 runs for this matchup. The Rockies have an overall money line of -1,576 and a record as the favorite of 14-19. Colorado has gone winless in its last 10 as the favorite. The Rockies have no trouble scoring as they lead the NL in home offense with 5.4 runs per home game. The Rockies are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with an impressive 9.1 per game. Colorado’s pitchers fall apart when division rivals are on the field. Its average runs allowed per game rises to 5.9 against fellow NL West members, compared to its 5.3 season average.
In games where it is the underdog, Arizona has a 37-41 record and an overall money line of +31. They are 15-17 as the underdog against teams in their division, and 24-26 SU. Offensively, they average 4.5 runs per game, which is tops in the NL. The Diamondbacks are tough outs for opponents, leading the NL with 9.3 hits per game. The Diamondbacks are an excellent base stealing team with 110 stolen bases, ranking second in the MLB.
The Diamondbacks lead the season series, 8-4. The Rockies have a 47-55 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Ray takes the mound. Bettis (RHP) will be on the hill against the Diamondbacks, who have a 49-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Ari, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Pittsburgh, the Rockies now have four shutouts this season. The Diamondbacks have been shut out in five games this season.
The Rockies are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Diamondbacks have a 13-17 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Rockies are 7-55. The Diamondbacks have a 12-43 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 20th in home runs, Arizona has hit 117 this season. Colorado ranks seventh with 147 home runs.
Arizona tops the league in hits with 9.28 per game this season. Colorado ranks in the top five at third with 9.13.
Ranking eighth, Arizona is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.734). Colorado ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .754.
When the Diamondbacks allow at least one home run, they are 31-56, well-matched with the Rockies who are 26-57 when allowing at least one homer.
