Rockies vs Dodgers MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
After an impressive first half, the Dodgers have been inconsistent since the All-Star break, recording three streaks of three of more losses, and then rattling off three or more wins three different times as well.
COL: Alex White (2-6, 6.16 ERA) v LAD: Aaron Harang (7-6, 3.76 ERA)
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 7, 10:10 PM EST
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Broadcast: Root Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FOX Sports Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
LINE: Dodgers -170
TOTAL: 7.5
In their last 21 outings, Los Angeles is 11-10, and has found themselves in a dogfight with the San Francisco Giants for the top spot in the division.
LA would like to find some consistency heading into the stretch, trying to put some distance between them and their bitter Nor Cal Rival. And will have their best opportunity against a Colorado team that currently sits 30 games under .500 and are in last place in the NL West.
The Dodgers need to take caution however, as the Rockies can be dangerous. They proved that with their 2-of-3 game series win at a red-hot Washington Nationals back in early July.
Pitching has been Colorado’s main reason for their season long struggles and it just keeps getting worse, as the team had to place starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, who was due to start in LA on Tuesday, on the 15-day DL because of bicep tendinitis.
Stepping in to toe the rubber in Sanchez’s spot, will be 23-year old Alex White, who was acquired in a trade with Cleveland last season
It will be White’s second stint with the Rockies as he posted a 2-6 mark with a 6.45 earned run average over 10 starts in May and June, and over two years is 5-10 with a 6.73 ERA in 20 starts..
It will be interesting to see how he fares against a new and improved Dodger lineup. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Meanwhile, the Dodgers will send Aaron Harang to the hill.
After reeling off starts in which he didn’t give up more than three earned runs in 10 of his last 11 games, Harang got absolutely blown up his last time out against the Diamondbacks. He will no doubt be looking to bounce back against a Colorado team that he has had good success against this season.
Players to watch for:
Rockies – Carlos Gonzalez .327/20/73/.392
After tailing off a bit last year, Gonzo seems to be back on track in 2012. He could be looking at another .330/30/100 season. While his strikeouts are consistent, his walks are up by about 33 percent. A number that could help his OBP rise to .400 as the season closes. He has handled Harang pretty well over the years.
Dodgers – Matt Kemp .351/16/41/.421
Matt Kemp is beginning to look like his early season self again. He has reeled off an eight-game hitting streak with 15 hits during that time, including single in the seventh inning Sunday against the Cubs. Kemp, who scored the winning run on Sunday, was hitting .468 (15-for-32) during his hitting streak heading into Monday’s Game1 with the Rockies.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Los Angeles-While the Rockies are the kind of team that could ignite at any moment, I just don’t see them being able to provide enough run support for White versus Harang.
