Colorado Rockies versus Los Angeles Dodgers MLB betting preview
Time: 10:10 PM
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Sportsbook odds for fans who bet on baseball:
Rockies +1½ (-150) 8 (+110) +158
Dodgers -1½ (+130) 8 (-130) -168
Colorado
On the mound: Kyle Freeland (LHP, 1-1, 5.91 ERA) already owns a win over the Dodgers on April 7th – holding them to one run in six innings – but he allowed the Padres four runs in the first inning on the 12th. In spite of which Freeland has given no indication that he will avoid the strike zone early or at all his third MLB start.
At bat: Dustin Garneau and Carlos Gonzales have one home run and one RBI each against LA’s starter – Garneau in two plate appearances and Gonzalez in seven. Third baseman Nolan Arenado had strong showing versus the Giants at AT&T Park, but he doesn’t have many fond memories of Dodger Stadium where he went 7-for-37 (.189) in ten games last season. Two of those hits were homers, though.
Recent form: The Rockies have won four of their last six games, including the last two straight, as well as four of the last five on the road. However, Colorado has lost six of their last eight against the Dodgers.
Trends for fans who bet on baseball: The Rockies have been proficient at covering the spread on the road, going 4-1 ATS in the last five away homes, except when it comes to the Dodgers in Los Angeles, against whom they are 1-6 in their last seven road games. The MLB betting total has gone under in six of Colorado’s last seven games and in five of their last six road games.
Los Angeles
On the mound: Hyun-Jin Ryu (LHP, 0-2, 5.79 ERA) will be looking to avenge his loss to Freeland at Coors Field. The South Korean had a couple of injury-plagued years and while they could rebuild him, they apparently couldn’t make him faster. Presumably they didn’t have the technology. Ryu’s four-seam fastball averaged nearly 91 mph in 2014 compared to 89.3 mph in two starts this season – the fifth-lowest speed among pitchers with at least 50 four-seamers tossed. Opposing batters are 11-for-19 (.579) with three home runs and a 1.105 percentage in plate appearances ending with that pitch.
At bat: Enrique Hernandez has one RBI in two at-bats against Freeland. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez and shortstop Corey Seager may have a chance to log plate appearances versus Freeland tonight. Manager Dave Roberts didn’t start either left-handed batter on April 7th – Seager’s only non-start so far this season. Gonzalez is .125 (2-for-16) against left-handed starters.
Recent form: The Dodgers split a four-game set against Arizona, losing the last two games. However, the LA club has won 18 of the last 25 home games, including the last five hosting the Rockies. As mentioned above, the Dodgers have covered in six of their last seven home games against Colorado, and also in four of their last six overall at Dodger Stadium. The MLB betting total has gone under in nine of LA’s last 11 home games versus the Rockies.