Analysis:The Colorado Rockies limp into the O.co. having been swept across the bay by the Giants this weekend by combined scores of 13-8. Oakland looks to bounce back after being swept on this field by KC, totaling just 7 runs in the 3-game series with the Royals. While these two teams have similar records for the season, a closer inspection of the numbers strongly implies this will be a Run Line Massacre! We will play it that way, looking to profit handsomely from this underdog price.
The Colorado Rockies have a record of 16-20 on the road. That is most deceiving, since the Rockies started the season 6-0 away with sweeps at Milwaukee and San Francisco. That start far belied the fact that the Rockies posted under 30 road wins in each of the previous 3 seasons, including a mark of 21-60 in 2014. Since that mind-blowing road start, the Rockies have since returned to road form, going 10-20. It would appear that the Rockies might be in a bit of a surge, going 5-3 on the heels of a 1-9 slide. The bats have boomed with 54 runs in those 8 games. But, the fact that Colorado has an MLB worst 4.94 ERA and .797 pitching OPS tells you all you need to know about this Rockies team, whose starters have authored just 5 QS in their last 18 outings. Tonight, they send Hale to the mound. Hale has posted a 5.86 ERA in 6 games to date. But in his previous 3 starts, Hale is 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA. In 7 appearances in Interleague play, Hale has a 10.32 ERA. In short, both, Hale and Colorado on the road are pure PLAY AGAINSTS.
This series could be a party for Oakland. After being swept by the fundamentally sound KC Royals, the A’s will revel in playing the “loosey-goosey” style of the Rockies. At 34-44, Oakland is 10 games back of the Astros in the AL West. Remember, this is an A’s team who has the best record in MLB the previous 3 years with 278 total wins. A No. 13 batting OPS of .717 and a No. 5 pitching OPS of .665 continues to strongly imply that Oakland will make a move upward. That certainly was happening with a 20-10 record before running into the Royals. Tonight’s starter, Graveman, is capable of helping Oakland find their lost momentum. After a shaky start, Graveman has returned to his solid form of Spring Training. In his previous 7 starts, Graveman has a 2.31 ERA.
Expect this to be a Run Line Massacre of massive proportions, noting these facts. First, Oakland is hungry following their weekend sweep and will not be inclined to show mercy. More importantly, 28 of 34 (82%) of Oakland wins, including 11 of 14 (79%) of Oakland victories on this field, have come by 2 or more runs. Colorado, meanwhile, continues to get blasted, as they have lost 7 of 9 recent road games by 2 or more runs, losing those games by a combined score of 42-18.
Pick Made: Jun 29 2015 8:41AM PST