In the first of a three-game series between the Colorado Rockies (11-15) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (11-15) at Coors Field, Eddie Butler (2-2, 3.81 ERA) and Brett Anderson (1-1, 4.21 ERA) get the ball. The Rockies enter this series looking to snap a seven-game losing streak. The game starts at 8:40 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 8 and will air on SportsNet LA and ROOT-RM.
Butler has a 7.80 ERA and a 0-2 record in his career against the Dodgers, and faces a strong Los Angeles offense that’s hitting .262 on the year. Charlie Blackmon (.317, 14 Rs, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 Wednesday with one stolen base. The Dodgers were unsuccessful the last time Anderson pitched. He pitched well, going, going 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs and striking out four in a 1-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. Adrian Gonzalez (.364, 23 Rs, 9 HRs, 24 RBIs) went 1 for 6 yesterday with two RBIs.
Colorado is a +110 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is 10 runs. When playing as the underdog, the Rockies have an 8-8 record and overall money line at -414. Over the last 10 games, they have performed poorly when playing as the underdog (2-5). Division games have been tough for the Rockies. Colorado has only averaged 3.6 runs per game compared to its 4.1 season average. The Rockies are a dangerous hitting team with 97 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB. Colorado’s pitching staff will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent struggles. The Rockies have given up an average of 7.8 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 5.7 runs per game.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Dodgers come into this game with a solid win percentage of .640 when playing as the favorite (16-9) and an overall money line of +306. Against divisional opponents, they are 13-8 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 13-7 record. The Dodgers rank second in the NL in scoring, averaging 4.8 runs per game. The Dodgers are known for their power, smashing a league-leading 47 home runs. Los Angeles has an eye for the strike zone, averaging an NL-best 3.7 walks per game. Switching gears to Los Angeles’s pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 1.13 on the year, good for fourth in the league. The Los Angeles pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging an NL-best 9.2 strikeouts per game.
So far this season, the Dodgers are 3-0 against the Rockies. The right-handed Butler will take the mound against the Dodgers. They’ve have a 16-8 record against righty starters this season, but are just 4-7 on the road.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
The Dodgers won their last game by a 10-run margin. In games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more, the Rockies are 1-2. The Dodgers are 1-0 in blowouts this season.
The Dodgers are 2-2 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Rockies are 1-2 in such matchups.
The Dodgers are coming into this meeting after a high-scoring game where they scored an impressive 14 runs. The Rockies have a 0-2 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rockies are 10-2. The Dodgers have a 16-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd, Colorado is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 107 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five at third with 143.
Ranking 30th, Colorado is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 53 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five at second with 109.
When the Rockies hit at least one home run, they are 8-9. When the Dodgers hit at least one homer, they have a 16-7 record.
