MLB Betting Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies

Added on Sep 28, 2010 by Jack Thurman in

MLB

Baseball betting–at least the regular season variety–is winding down for the year but we’ll try to find a few good opportunities down the stretch. Today we’ll look at the NL West where the Colorado Rockies are hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. Colorado’s postseason chances are dwindling, but if they’re to have any hope of remaining in the race will need to take advantage of their strong home field against the listless Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers (Kuroda) at Colorado Rockies (Francis)
September 28, 2010–5:40 PM Pacific

The Colorado Rockies were handed a golden opportunity to contend for the NL West when the San Diego Padres hit their monumental slump in August, but barring a dramatic turn of the events won’t be able to close the deal. They’re not officially eliminated from contention, however, and they’ve got to take advantage of these games at home against the Dodgers if they’re to have any hope at all of playing in October. Colorado has an excellent 53-28 record at Coors Field, good for +11.2 units of profit.

Colorado couldn’t get the job done on Monday with ace Ubaldo Jimenez on the hill–Jimenez pitched well, but the Rockies were shut down by Dodgers’ left hander Ted Lilly. They should find the going a little easier against Hiroki Kuroda–they were able to generate some offense against Kuroda when the teams met in Los Angeles last week. Kuroda has pitched well down the stretch, but Colorado puts up better numbers against right handed pitchers. The Dodgers, meanwhile, struggle against southpaws–they’re 21-26 -12.2 units against lefhanders and average only 3.7 runs per game. For a team that doesn’t score a lot of runs to begin with, their diminished output against left handers could make the difference in this game.

It’s do or die for Colorado and they need to win tonight to realistically have a chance at the playoffs. In many situations, teams in ‘must win’ spots are good ‘go against’ plays but in this matchup we’re getting a reasonable price on the home team against a weak hitting visitor.

Bet Colorado (Francis) -125 over LA Dodgers (Kuroda)