Zack Greinke (5-0, 1.52 ERA) and Jorge De La Rosa (0-2, 9.56 ERA) are on the hill in the third of a four-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers (23-12) and the Colorado Rockies (12-20) at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the last game 6-4 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 9:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 16 and can be seen on ROOT-RM and SportsNet LA.
Greinke is 7-2 with a 3.57 ERA in his appearances against the Rockies, and goes up against a quality Colorado offense which is batting .267 this season. Andre Ethier (.330, 19 Rs, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one RBI. De La Rosa is 5-10 with a 5.89 ERA when pitching against the Dodgers. He is up against a good Los Angeles offense which is hitting .272 this season. Charlie Blackmon (.298, 15 Rs, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 3 for 5 yesterday with one run and one stolen base.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Los Angeles, a big -240 favorite, takes on Colorado. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently seven runs. The Dodgers have recorded an overall money line of +426 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 20-11. Los Angeles has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 15-8 and 15-9 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Dodgers have no trouble scoring as they lead the NL in offense with 5.2 runs per game. The Dodgers are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with a phenomenal 8.9 per game. Los Angeles leads the whole NL in walks, earning an average of 4.0 per game. Crossing over to the pitching and defensive side, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Dodgers. The 2.9 runs that Los Angeles’s pitchers allow per home game makes them the third-ranked NL staff at home. The Dodgers are the fifth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.17 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Dodgers, who lead the NL in strikeouts per game with 8.8.
In games where it is the underdog, Colorado has a 9-12 record and an overall money line of -615. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 1-7 record, and a 1-9 record SU. The Rockies allow 5.5 runs per game, but does worse whenever another team from the NL West Division is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average up to 6.2 against division foes.
The Dodgers have controlled the season series, 6-1. Greinke (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rockies, who have a 10-14 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
Colorado has won 30% (3-7) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Los Angeles has won 58% (7-5) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Dodgers managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rockies who are coming in with a 3-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rockies are 1-13. The Dodgers have a 3-7 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Los Angeles has hit 54 this season. Colorado ranks 18th with 31 home runs.
Los Angeles and Colorado both rank in the top five of the league in hits. Los Angeles sits at fifth with 8.94 hits per game and Colorado ranks third with 9.20.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Los Angeles has an OPS of .841 this season. Colorado ranks ninth with an OPS of .734.
The Rockies are 4-14 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Dodgers are 12-8 when they allow at least one homer.
