The Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies appear to be in the same boat this season. Not quite good enough to likely win their division but perhaps may compete for the NL’s two wild-card spots. Game 1 of their series is from Philly on Tuesday and a good pitching matchup, with the Phils as MLB odds favorites. Neither is playing well at the moment.
The Phillies are also slumping, losing all three series this month and winning just twice overall. They did avoid a home weekend sweep vs. Milwaukee with a 4-3 win Sunday. J.P. Crawford went 2-for-4 with a run scored in the win. Both hits were singles for Crawford, and it helps raise his average to .197 on the season. It’s been a disappointing year for the 23-year-old rookie, as he hasn’t been able to hit for average or power, and the strong approach he showed at the plate in the minors hasn’t shown up in 2018.
Tommy Hunter picked up the last out on Sunday to pick up his first save for the Phillies. Hunter came in after Luis Garcia allowed two hits in the ninth inning, and he needed just two pitches to get his first save in a Philadelphia uniform.
Maikel Franco sat out Sunday the fourth straight game. Manager Gabe Kapler had indicated that he would rotate Franco, Scott Kingery and Crawford at shortstop and third base upon Crawford’s return from the disabled list, but Franco has been the odd man out in all four games so far. Franco has hit eight homers and driven in 32 runs this season, but he’s batting just .247/.288/.416 overall.
How to Bet Rockies at Phillies MLB Odds & Game Info
When: Tuesday, 7:05 PM ET Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia Probable pitchers (away/home): Jon Gray/Aaron Nola TV: MLB Extra Innings Stream: MLB.tv Radio: 850 AM (Colorado) / 94.1 FM (Philadelphia) Opening MLB Odds: Phillies -156, Rockies +146 (7.5)Add another to the never-ending highlight reel. 🎞#NolanBeingNolan 😍 pic.twitter.com/sbklvpyqVz
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 10, 2018
Why Bet on Colorado’s MLB Odds?
Colorado enters on a four-game losing streak and was swept at home by Arizona over the weekend, each loss by at least five runs. Maybe it’s a good thing that Colorado is leaving home. The Rockies have now been swept in back-to-back series at home (also: June 1-3 vs. Los Angeles-NL). They have lost seven consecutive home games, allowing seven or more runs in each game… their seven-game losing streak at home is tied for the third-longest losing streak at home in franchise history, the longest since losing seven straight April 23-May 10, 2016. Colorado has dropped below .500 for the first time since April 11. Its pitchers have allowed double-digit hits in 12 straight games overall, the longest streak in franchise history and the longest in the Major Leagues since 2006. Carlos Gonzalez expects to return to the Rockies’ lineup Tuesday following Monday’s off day. CarGo is dealing with a rib issue on the left side of his back, but he’s undergone chiropractic treatment and feels better.Who Will Take the Mound for Colorado on Tuesday?
The Rockies go with Jon Gray (6-6, 5.66). Gray got the win in Wednesday’s 6-3 victory over the Reds, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings while striking out five. Gray didn’t exactly rebound from his recent poor form, walking three batters for the third straight start and giving up at least three runs for the fifth straight, but the Rockies’ offense was still able to carry Gray to the win. It has been a disappointing season for the former No. 3 overall pick. Gray closed out last season with 13 consecutive starts of no more than three earned runs allowed, while spearheading the Rockies’ first postseason trip since 2009. However, Gray had missed time earlier in the season with a stress fracture in his left foot, which lands at the end of his windup. To compensate, he didn’t land as hard. Earlier this year, his foot was landing pointing toward the left side, which was costing him action on his slider. Gray “made some delivery changes with Darren (Holmes) and Steve (Foster) that started to show up a little bit,” said manager Bud Black, referring to the team’s pitching coaches, before Gray’s last start vs. the Reds. “It takes time, but hopefully he will see the fruits of that labor. But again, he battled through it. So I think he can leave with a good taste in his mouth.”Why Bet on Philadelphia’s MLB Odds?
The Phillies are also slumping, losing all three series this month and winning just twice overall. They did avoid a home weekend sweep vs. Milwaukee with a 4-3 win Sunday. J.P. Crawford went 2-for-4 with a run scored in the win. Both hits were singles for Crawford, and it helps raise his average to .197 on the season. It’s been a disappointing year for the 23-year-old rookie, as he hasn’t been able to hit for average or power, and the strong approach he showed at the plate in the minors hasn’t shown up in 2018.
Tommy Hunter picked up the last out on Sunday to pick up his first save for the Phillies. Hunter came in after Luis Garcia allowed two hits in the ninth inning, and he needed just two pitches to get his first save in a Philadelphia uniform.
Maikel Franco sat out Sunday the fourth straight game. Manager Gabe Kapler had indicated that he would rotate Franco, Scott Kingery and Crawford at shortstop and third base upon Crawford’s return from the disabled list, but Franco has been the odd man out in all four games so far. Franco has hit eight homers and driven in 32 runs this season, but he’s batting just .247/.288/.416 overall.
Who Will Start for the Phillies?
It’s ace Aaron Nola here. He might be the Phillies’ only lock — or near lock — to make the National League All-Star team. Nola has allowed more than three runs just once this season as he is establishing himself as one of the best starters in the NL. Nola (7-2, 2.35) didn’t factor into the decision in last Wednesday’s 7-5 loss to the Cubs, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks over six innings while striking out six. Spin: The right-hander threw only 57 of 92 pitches for strikes en route to tying his season high in walks, but Nola was still in line for his eighth win of the year before a late implosion by the Phillies’ bullpen. He has an 80:22 K:BB through 84.1 innings.Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Rockies are 1-6 in their last 7 games following a loss.
- Rockies are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Phillies are 5-0 in Nola’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
- Phillies are 14-3 in Nola’s last 17 home starts.
- Phillies are 4-1 in Nola’s last 5 starts vs. National League West.
