David Hale (3-4, 6.17 ERA) and Logan Verrett (0-1, 2.82 ERA) take the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Colorado Rockies (49-72) and the New York Mets (66-56) at Coors Field. The Mets won the last game 14-9 and New York leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 4:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 23 and can be seen on RTRM and WPIX.
Hale pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering six runs, striking out four and walking three in a 15-6 defeat to the Nationals. Carlos Gonzalez (.274, 67 Rs, 29 HRs, 70 RBIs, 2 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 5. Verrett went 1.0 innings, surrendering zero runs in a 5-4 defeat to the Orioles in his most recent start. Yoenis Cespedes (.297, 75 Rs, 23 HRs, 77 RBIs, 7 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Mets, going 2 for 6 yesterday with one RBI.
New York is a slim -114 favorite over Colorado. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently 11 runs. The Rockies have an overall money line of -1,490 and a record as the underdog of 35-52. Colorado has recorded a disappointing 1-6 record as the underdog over its last 10 games. Colorado’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 7.0 runs per game, well above its season average of 5.3.
In the other locker room, New York is coming in with an overall money line of +761 and an impressive record of 49-19 as the favorite. Offensively, the Mets have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.8 runs per game by averaging 5.2 during that stretch. The Mets capitalize on their at-bats at a high percentage, leading the league with a .240 team batting average. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Mets are the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.17 for the season.
The Mets have dominated the season series, 6-0. The Rockies have a 44-53 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Verrett takes the mound. Hale (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mets, who have a 52-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYM, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rockies managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Mets who are coming in with a 31-9 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Mets have a slight leg up on the Rockies, as the Mets have won their last two games while the Rockies have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rockies are 38-13. The Mets have a 47-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd, New York sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 475 this season. Colorado ranks in the top five at fifth with 547.
Ranking 27th, Colorado is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 290 this season. New York ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 340.
The Rockies are 43-39 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Mets are 43-23 when they hit at least one homer.
