The August 16th Padres at Rockies contest has the potential to be a good one. 14 games separate the 3rd and 4th place teams in the NL West, but Colorado is a much better team at home (38-21) compared to their atrocious road record. The Rockies captured a home sweep of the Padres earlier in the season, but are +115 underdogs on Monday night (SD -125).
The run total for the series opener is also 12.5, and these two teams have had some high scoring affairs at Coors Field over the years. There was a three game series at the end of 2019 where a combined 54 runs were scored. Temps are supposed to in the 90s with a slight wind blowing out on Monday, will the ball be flying?
Tatis, Jr. Back With a Vengeance
The Padres are clinging to a 2.5 game lead over the Reds for the 2nd wild card spot, but Cincinnati begins a 4-game set with a Cubs team that has lost 11 straight. That means Monday night’s game and this series in general is huge for San Diego. Colorado is 17 games above .500 at Coors Field though, and were 5-1 in their last home stand.
San Diego could only manage a sweep in a 4-game series with Arizona over the weekend, but they do come into the August 16th Padres at Rockies matchup off a win. Fernando Tatis, Jr. returned from a two week absence with a left shoulder injury to go 4-4 with 2 HR and 4 RBI. Tatis is just 3 for 12 at Coors this season, but two of those hits have left the yard.
Yu Darvish is headed to the IL which has led the Padres to sign Jake Arrieta for their beat up rotation. Arrieta won’t start until Wednesday, meaning Monday’s matchup will likely be a bullpen day. San Diego only has three healthy starters (Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell, Ryan Weathers) which further points to the series opener being a higher scoring contest.
Rockies Back at Home
Some things never change, like the Rockies going out on a road and taking a beating. That held true recently with Colorado going 1-5 in trips to Houston and San Francisco. The Rockies only have 14 road wins on the year, but four have come in San Diego.
Colorado is back home on Monday though, and they’ve taken four straight at Coors Field against San Diego. The Rockies simply know how to hit at this park, scoring 53 runs in their five wins during the most recent 5-1 home stretch. That should continue with San Diego scrambling to find a starter for Monday’s contest.
The Rockies know who they’ll send to the bump as Anthony Senzatela (2-9, 4.71 ERA) makes his second start vs. the Padres this year. He gave up 4 ER over 5.0 IP in an 8-1 loss back in May at Coors Field. The right-hander actually has a 4.04 ERA at Coors Field this year compared to 5.80 on the road however.
Free August 16th Padres at Rockies Pick
The side lean would have to be on Colorado (+115) in this one as the Rockies are simply a different team at home. On a 90+ degree night the ball should also be flying out of the park, especially as San Diego uses either a Triple-A callup or does a bullpen day.
Free Pick: Rockies +115
Free Pick: Over 12.5
