Sam Clayton
20 DIME - ROCKIES
Big bounce back spot for Colorado as they look to win the series rubber match and draw even closer to the Dodgers in the NL West standings. Los Angeles has seen their once impressive division lead shrink to three games and they've fallen into a slight rut as of late. Meanwhile, the Rockies haven't skipped a beat and they keep on winning, having notched a 'W' in 52 of their last 75 games. Yes, the offense looked dead last night against Randy Wolf, but it's no secret that this group doesn't stay down for long. Thanks to excessive research, I found out that since Jim Tracy took over, Colorado is 5-2 in games following a 0 or 1 run output, and in the five wins, they've averaged 6 runs per game. That sounds like a mouthful and I usually hate statistics like that, but the proof is in the pudding. You might be able to contain Colorado's bats one game, but it rarely happens twice in a row.
The biggest reason for my selection today though is the pitching matchup. Los Angeles, desperate for a fifth starter trots out Vicente Padilla, who hasn't pitched since August 5 with the Rangers before being cut. Padilla is an average pitcher, sure, but he was trimmed from the roster because he wasn't getting the job and he's a nutcase (irrelevant but true). Since the All-Star break, the right-hander is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA and he's allowed 5 runs or more in three of his last five starts. More importantly though, he has been absolutely lit up against left-handed hitters (.319 BA vs LHB) and luckily for Colorado, their lefties have been tearing it up in the month of August. You have to believe that Jim Tracy will adjust and play Carlos Gonzalez (.381 BA in Aug.) and/or Seth Smith (.318) to go along with regulars Todd Helton (.310) and Brad Hawpe (.269). Even new centerfielder Eric Young is hitting .375 with three hits in eight at-bats. Parlay those numbers with the band box that is Coors Field and you've got a great chance that Padilla could be chased very quickly.
Jorge de la Rosa gets the call for Colorado and he's been on an absolute tear the past two months. The southpaw is 6-1 with a 3.80 ERA in the second half and he's 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA his last three outings. Jorge has allowed three runs or less in 9 of his last 11 starts and I like the way he matches up against the Dodgers lineup. Being he's a lefty, Furcal and Hudson flip around to the right side (where they are less threatening). His blazing fastball and sharp breaking ball have been neutralizing left-handed hitters all year, which doesn't bode well for Ethier and Loney. And most importantly, the Dodgers' No. 3 and 4 hitters -- Either and Ramirez -- are hitting .195 and .244 respectively against southpaws this season. Whew. I hope your brain hasn't exploded with all these intangibles.
Colorado is 8-2 their last 10 and they've won 9 of 13 at Coors Field. I'm very confident that they use home field advantage to the fullest and knock off the Dodgers, losers of 6 of their last 11 games. I'm rolling with the hotter bats and the much hotter pitcher, not to mention fading the swine flu (chuckle). Play the Rockies.
20 DIME - ROCKIES
Big bounce back spot for Colorado as they look to win the series rubber match and draw even closer to the Dodgers in the NL West standings. Los Angeles has seen their once impressive division lead shrink to three games and they've fallen into a slight rut as of late. Meanwhile, the Rockies haven't skipped a beat and they keep on winning, having notched a 'W' in 52 of their last 75 games. Yes, the offense looked dead last night against Randy Wolf, but it's no secret that this group doesn't stay down for long. Thanks to excessive research, I found out that since Jim Tracy took over, Colorado is 5-2 in games following a 0 or 1 run output, and in the five wins, they've averaged 6 runs per game. That sounds like a mouthful and I usually hate statistics like that, but the proof is in the pudding. You might be able to contain Colorado's bats one game, but it rarely happens twice in a row.
The biggest reason for my selection today though is the pitching matchup. Los Angeles, desperate for a fifth starter trots out Vicente Padilla, who hasn't pitched since August 5 with the Rangers before being cut. Padilla is an average pitcher, sure, but he was trimmed from the roster because he wasn't getting the job and he's a nutcase (irrelevant but true). Since the All-Star break, the right-hander is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA and he's allowed 5 runs or more in three of his last five starts. More importantly though, he has been absolutely lit up against left-handed hitters (.319 BA vs LHB) and luckily for Colorado, their lefties have been tearing it up in the month of August. You have to believe that Jim Tracy will adjust and play Carlos Gonzalez (.381 BA in Aug.) and/or Seth Smith (.318) to go along with regulars Todd Helton (.310) and Brad Hawpe (.269). Even new centerfielder Eric Young is hitting .375 with three hits in eight at-bats. Parlay those numbers with the band box that is Coors Field and you've got a great chance that Padilla could be chased very quickly.
Jorge de la Rosa gets the call for Colorado and he's been on an absolute tear the past two months. The southpaw is 6-1 with a 3.80 ERA in the second half and he's 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA his last three outings. Jorge has allowed three runs or less in 9 of his last 11 starts and I like the way he matches up against the Dodgers lineup. Being he's a lefty, Furcal and Hudson flip around to the right side (where they are less threatening). His blazing fastball and sharp breaking ball have been neutralizing left-handed hitters all year, which doesn't bode well for Ethier and Loney. And most importantly, the Dodgers' No. 3 and 4 hitters -- Either and Ramirez -- are hitting .195 and .244 respectively against southpaws this season. Whew. I hope your brain hasn't exploded with all these intangibles.
Colorado is 8-2 their last 10 and they've won 9 of 13 at Coors Field. I'm very confident that they use home field advantage to the fullest and knock off the Dodgers, losers of 6 of their last 11 games. I'm rolling with the hotter bats and the much hotter pitcher, not to mention fading the swine flu (chuckle). Play the Rockies.
