Streaking Diamondbacks Look to Take Advantage of Slumping Rockies
Who: Arizona Diamondbacks v. Colorado Rockies
When: Friday September 1st, 2017 8:40PM EST
Where: Coors Field—Denver, Colorado
The Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks are division rivals, but even more than that they are competing to secure the 2 NL Wild Card positions. In recent weeks, it is the Diamondbacks who have really come on and begun playing some irresistible baseball. The Rockies, on the other hand, look to be a shell of their former selves, as they can’t seem to get much of anything going.
The Diamondbacks will travel to Colorado full of momentum. Over the course of their last 10 games the D-Backs have amassed a 9-1 record and have been absolutely dominating opponents. Having just come off a series sweep of MLB’s best team, the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks will feel invincible at the present moment in time. The key to the Diamondbacks’ recent successes has been a steady stream of runs scored coupled with decent pitching.
As for the Rockies, they have been polar-opposite of the Diamondbacks recently. What once looked like a team that was undoubtedly going to make the playoffs is now looking like a side that may not see the post-season come so easily. The Rockies’ record over their past 10 games is 4-6, with many of those 6 losses coming against weak teams that have no realistic post-season aspirations. If taking care of the Tigers last series—where they lost 2 of 3—was a challenge, playing against the red-hot Diamondbacks is going to be anything but a walk in the park. With that being said, the Rockies are still 2.5 games in the clear in the 2nd Wild Card spot, so their destiny is still very much in their own hands.
Being that this is the first of a 3-game series, Bovada is currently offering moneyline odds on which team will take 2 of 3, or all 3 games. Right now, the hosts, Colorado (-150), are favored to win the series. Still, the D-Backs (+120) are far from being heavy underdogs. Because of their current momentum and the value you might find in a wager at +120 odds, I think you should take the Diamondbacks in this one.
Game Overview and Analysis
When the Diamondbacks (-110) take the field on Friday night, they will be sending Taijuan Walker (7-7 3.55 ERA) to the mound. Walker has not been overly impressive this year, however he hasn’t exactly disappointed, either. In many ways, Taijuan typifies the D-Backs season, one marked with high highs and low lows. Fortunately for his confidence, he will be entering the series opener on the back of a win secured during the D-Backs’ sweep of the Giants last week. In his last two outings, in fact, Walker has given up a total of 1 earned run in more than 11 innings pitched. During those outings he has struck out 7 as well.
If the Diamondbacks’ bats can continue to perform as they have been over the past 2 or so weeks, I do not think we will need an overly impressive performance on the part of Walker in order to secure a victory. Of course, if the bats do not show up in this series opener, it could be a long night for Walker and his teammates.
For the Rockies (-110), it will be Kyle Freeland (11-8 3.81 ERA) who will be making the start. If there was a pitcher that could help the Rockies come out of this slump, Freeland is it. Unfortunately, Freeland, like the Rockies, has seen his performances devolve in recent weeks. The 1-year veteran has not earned a victory since the last few days of July, and has been hit all over the ballpark by quite a few opponents. He is capable of putting on a show, but whether or not he is going to emerge from his slump is something that remains to be seen.
The Rockies’ offense also needs to pick things up, but I feel as though a solid performance by Freeland should be enough to get them past the D-Backs, at least in game 1.
Betting Prediction
If you are looking at a moneyline wager to make, I think you have to bet on the team with the most momentum, Arizona (-110). The D-Backs have now won 7 consecutive games and just swept the best team in baseball. If momentum is something that can carry a team to victory, it will do exactly that on Friday night.
As far as the point spread is concerned, the Diamondbacks are listed as -1.5 favorites (+140). Though I do not feel as though this is a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination, if the Diamondbacks do, in fact, win, I think they are more than capable of covering this point spread. Once again, I am expecting the D-Backs’ offense to continue to click, and if that happens I think they will win easily against a team that is very cold right now.