Tyler Anderson (4-3, 3.25 ERA) and the Colorado Rockies (55-56) take on Cole Hamels (12-3, 2.89 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (65-47) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the first of a two-game series at Coors Field. Action begins at 8:40 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 8 and can be seen on FSSW and RTRM.
Anderson pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out six and walking two in a 12-2 win over the Dodgers. Nolan Arenado (.283, 80 Rs, 29 HRs, 87 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 3 with two runs, two home runs, and five RBIs. Hamels went 7.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out six and walking four in a 3-2 defeat to the Orioles in his most recent start. Ian Desmond (.294, 77 Rs, 20 HRs, 66 RBIs, 17 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 6 yesterday with two runs and one RBI.
Texas takes on Colorado as a -126 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at 10 runs. The Rockies have an overall money line of +347 and a record as the underdog of 30-38. Against the AL, they have a 5-7 record when they were the underdog and 8-8 SU. The Rockies have no trouble scoring as they lead the NL in offense with 5.2 runs per game. The Rockies are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with an impressive 9.3 per game. Colorado is one of the best in the NL in terms of walks at home, earning an average of 3.7 per game. Colorado’s pitchers fall apart when American League teams are on the field. Its average runs allowed per game rises to 6.4 against AL teams, compared to its 5.0 season average.
In the other locker room, Texas is coming in with an overall money line of +2,365 and an impressive record of 27-16 as the favorite. They played solid baseball as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 5-1 record and a 7-3 record SU. Offensively, the Rangers have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.7 runs per game by averaging 3.4 during that stretch. Texas is excellent at not striking out on the road with just 7.8 per game, ranking fourth in the AL. The Rangers allow 4.6 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 3.0 runs per game during that span.
The Rockies have a 14-17 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hamels takes the mound. Anderson (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a 15-15 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX, O/U – Over
Notes
Colorado has won 45% (23-28) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Texas has won 58% (29-21) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rangers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Rockies have a 14-24 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rockies are 42-10. The Rangers have a 43-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 10th in runs, Texas has earned 521 this season. Colorado ranks second with 579 runs.
Ranking 27th, Texas is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 285 this season. Colorado ranks in the top half at 11th with 354.
The Rockies are 42-27 when they hit at least one home run. The Rangers perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 54-32 record.
