LAD @ COL
The Dodgers blew out the Rockies 11-4 at Coors last night in another meaningless game. The Dodgers have already clinched the NL West and a first round by in the NL playoffs, while the Rockies are going nowhere but home for the playoffs.
The Dodgers are the much better hitting team, averaging almost a full run more than the Rockies, with a 30-[point better wOBA and a 36-pont better wRC+. They also have the better bullpen and much better starting pitcher. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was unusually wild in last outing on Sunday walking 3 batters for the first time in his MLB career and throwing just his second wild pitch all season. The Rockies nearly batted around the order against him in the 1st , which led to 3 quick runs. The Rockies added another run in the 3rd. It was the 26-year-old righty's worst outing in three starts since returning from the IL, Yamamoto now owns a solid 1.13 WHIP and fine 2.96 ERA, with a 99/22 K/BB ratio over 85 innings. Antonio Senzatela gave up 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 over 5 innings in Sunday's 6-5 loss to these Dodgers. The Rockies staked Senzatela to a quick 3-0 lead in the 1st and he departed after five innings with a 4-1 lead. Senzatela was let down by the Rockies lousy bullpen after they gave up 3 runs in the 7th and 2 more in the 9th.
This is a meaningless game for both teams, but the Dodgers are the better team and Yamamoto is the better starting pitcher.
Pick – LAD 1st t 5 amd full game MLs in a series of parlays
KC @ ATL
The Braves beat the Royals 3-0 behind a fine outing by Max Fried last night. They are now tied with the Mets and Diamondbacks for the final two NL wild card spots. Des[pte last night’s loss, the Raoyal still clinched an AL wild card spot when the Twins lost. Offensively these two tears are almost identical. The Royals average 0.19 more runs per game than the Braves, but it is the Braves who have the 0.07 better wOBA and 4-point better wRC+. As for the two bullpens, it is the Braves who possess the statistically better unit with a 14-point better WHIP and an almost full run better ERA. That brings us to the two starting pitchers. Seth Lugo has now posted 4 quality starts over his last 5 outings, producing a 2.02 ERA over that span. The veteran righty owns an impressive 1.09 WHIP and 3.03 ERA, with a 178/47 K/BB ratio over 204.2 innings this season. After spending 17 days on the IL due to right shoulder inflammation, Reynaldo Lopez will return in time to make one final start before the end of the regular season. Manager Brian Snitker said yesterday that the right-hander won't be working under a pitch/inning restrictions, and he should have a favorable matchup against a Royals offense that has struggled carrying just a .583 OPS since the start of September. Lopez, who had never been a full time starter prior to this season, has pitched surprisingly well for the Braves, posting a solid 1.15 WHIP and an outstanding 2.03 ERA with a 137/42 K/BB ratio over 128.2 innings in 24 starts.
This is a bigger game for the Braves who are nie in three-way tie with the Mets and Diamondbacks for the final two NL wild card spots. They could still miss the playoffs. Despite last night’s loss, the Royals still backed into an AL wild card spot thanks to the Twins loss to the Orioles that eliminated them. The Braves are probably the better team and this is a “must win” game for them. The starting pitcgung matchup is close enough to stay off a 1st 5 play on either team.
Pick – ATL full game ML in a series of parlays