MLB- (9:05 ET, XM 184) Los Angeles at Colorado
MLB- (9:05 ET, XM 184) Los Angeles at Colorado
Colorado maybe in fourth place in the National League West2007-07-26
Colorado maybe in fourth place in the National League West, yet they are moving ever closer to the top of the division after taking a series against San Diego. The Rockies are just 4.5 games out of first place and now take dead aim on the division leader Los Angeles with a big four game series at Coors Field.
The opening challenge for Colorado has to look as cumbersome as leisurely hike up to Pike’s Peak. Brad Penny (12-1, 2.42) will be the Dodgers starting pitcher in Game One and is having a Cy Young season. His only loss this year was back on May 18, better than two months ago. Penny has 16 quality starts in the 20 he has made in 2007. Los Angeles is 16-4 +10.9 units in his 2007 trips to the mound.
If that was not enough to overcome, Penny in his career against Colorado is like J.K. Rowling’s latest Harry Potter book, killing the competition. Big bad Brad has won six straight against the Rockies and is 11-2 lifetime. Since first facing Colorado back in 2000, the two teams he has pitched for are 14-3, with sterling 2.59 ERA and low 1.112 WHIP.
With all this working against Clint Hurdle’s Colorado club what can he do to combat +120 home underdog role according Sportsbook.com? Bring out this year’s stealth-like secret weapon Rodrigo Lopez (5-3, 4.46). The former Baltimore pitcher had worn out his welcome there after losing 18 games in 2006, thanks to a slider that no longer was sliding. Most pitchers that end up at Coors Field use it as true sign the career is just about complete and few more paychecks is about all you can expect. Instead Lopez is flourishing at 5-0 with an ERA nearly a run lower at home. Colorado teammates are on a Rocky Mountain high when the 31-year old right-hander climbs the hill with 7-0 mark.
Los Angeles has completed good work on the road with 27-22 (+5.1 units) record and is 14-6 against the money line in road games against division opponents this season. The Dodgers have also enjoyed remarkable success facing pitchers like Lopez with 29-12 record vs. an NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 to 1.350 over the last two seasons.
The Rockies are 28-20 (+5.7 units) at home and 18-9 (+12.9 Units) against the ML after a win by six runs or more over the last two seasons. One other noteworthy trend in Colorado’s favor is mildly surprising. They are 18-10 (+11.0 Units) against the ML vs. a starting pitcher who gives up 0.5 or less HR's a start this season. One wouldn’t think the Rocks would manufacture enough runs against a pitcher who keeps the ball in the yard.
Total players have a couple of sharp angles have also surfaced for this NL West showdown. The Dodgers are 13-4 OVER after two or more consecutive losses and the Rockies are 10-2 OVER in home games after a win by four runs or more this season.
This exciting series opener can be heard on XM radio 184 or viewed on MLB.TV starting at 9:05 Eastern. Use the Betting Trends page for all the latest information and be informed on MLB wagering opportunities.
StatFox Power Line – Los Angeles -125
This article was written by Doug Upstone