In the first of a two-game series between the Colorado Rockies (28-36) and the Houston Astros (28-36) at Coors Field, Kyle Kendrick (2-8, 5.87 ERA) and Brett Oberholtzer (1-1, 2.25 ERA) take the mound. The game gets underway at 8:40 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jun. 17 and will air on ROOT-SW and ROOT-RM.
Kendrick has a 4.50 ERA and a 1-3 record in his career against the Astros, and is up against a less-than-stellar Houston offense that’s hitting just .238 on the year. Nolan Arenado (.274, 33 Rs, 16 HRs, 50 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. The Astros were victorious over the Mariners 10-0 the last time Oberholtzer pitched. He went 8.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out five and walking two. George Springer (.267, 34 Rs, 10 HRs, 23 RBIs, 13 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run.
Colorado is favored by a small -115 margin in its matchup against Houston. The matchup currently has a 10-run Over/Under (O/U). The Rockies perform poorly as a favorite with a 5-11 record and have an overall money line of -360. They have struggled as the favorite over their last 10 games, going 0-1. The Rockies have the most prolific home offense in the entire NL, averaging 5.2 runs per game. The Rockies are a stellar hitting team with an NL-best 10.4 hits per home game. Don’t expect the Colorado hitters to swing wildly in their own ballpark. They average only 6.6 strikeouts per home game.
Switching gears, the Astros come into this game with a win percentage of .588 when playing as the underdog (20-14) and an overall money line of +725. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 3-7 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 1-5 record. They sport the fifth-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 4.3 runs per game. One of the top road hitting teams in the AL are the Astros, who average 8.7 hits in games away from home. The Astros have racked up 52 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Switching gears to Houston’s pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 1.16, best in the MLB.
So far this season, the Astros are 2-0 against the Rockies. This game will feature Oberholtzer (LHP) on the mound against the Rockies, who have a 1-4 home and 3-9 overall record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Kendrick will take the mound against the Astros. Against righty starters this season, they’ve racked up an impressive 24-14 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Astros play into extra innings, they have a 3-2 record. The Rockies are 1-4 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Astros managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rockies who are heading in with a 7-7 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rockies are 4-24. The Astros have a 9-19 record when opponents outhit them.
Houston tops the league in home runs with 91 this season. Colorado ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 71.
Ranking 15th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.88 per game. Colorado ranks in the top five at third with 9.19.
Ranking eighth, Houston is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.726). Colorado ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .743.
The Astros are 13-20 when they allow at least one home run. The Rockies perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 12-26 record.
