Things are shaping up to go down to the wire in the NL West where the Diamondbacks lead the Dodgers by a half a game and the Rockies by 3. Two of those teams meet up in the August 9th NL free pick as LA and Colorado start off a 4 game set at Coors Field. Oddsmakers aren’t sure how to call this one, making the Dodgers a slight favorite (LAD -118, COL +108). It’s going to be a humid 90 degrees at first pitch but the wind is blowing in from left at 9 MPH. Which of these top 10 scoring offenses in the majors takes advantage of the conditions on Thursday night?
Dodgers Aim to Bounce Back on Thursday Night
Heading into this weekend’s 4-game set, the Dodgers are behind the 8-ball a bit as they lost 2-3 to Oakland last night in a Clayton Kershaw start. This could be why series prices for Los Angeles seem a bit low at -120 (COL +100). Besides a 21-5 win over Milwaukee a week ago, the Dodgers offense is sputtering a bit. LA has scored 3 runs or less in 5 of the last 8. Of course, everything changes at Coors Field. especially considering the Dodgers have a .338 average and 4HR in 71AB against Colorado starter Tyler Anderson. Cody Bellinger is 3-7 (.429) with a HR vs. Anderson and is hot lately with a .421 average the past week. Joc Pederson might enjoy the weekend in Denver too as he has 3HR in his last 5 games.
The Dodgers might need a whole lot of runs in the August 9th NL free pick considering starter Ross Stripling (8-3, 2.68 ERA) has a 9.35 ERA in two starts since the all-star break. The right hander has allowed 9ER in 8.2 IP across 4 starts. To make matters worse he’s making his first start since July 29th after battling a big toe injury. In one start against Colorado this season, Stripling gave up 4 runs in 6 innings. On the bright side Stripling did have a 2.08 ERA prior to the all-star break.
Colorado Looks to Reverse Recent Woes Against LA
Pretty much all the trends are favoring the Dodgers tonight which is why they’ll likely get a majority of the public bet at just a -118 line. The Dodgers have won 6 of the last 8 head to head meetings and have been victorious in 5 straight at Coors Field. Colorado has also lost 6 of the last 7 vs. the Dodgers when starter Tyler Anderson (6-4, 4.05 ERA) takes the mound. Anderson is slumping a bit, allowing 11ER in his last two starts (10 IP). The Rockies are also 2-7 in Anderson’s last 9 overall starting at Coors Field. This doesn’t exude a lot of confidence heading into the August 9th NL free pick.
For as talented as they are, the Rockies offense has been in a bit of a funk recently. The Rockies have scored 3 runs or less in 6 of the last 7. That offensive output should change tonight, not just because of 90 degree temps but because Colorado has a collective .327 average in 55 AB vs. Stripling. Nolan Arenado is 5-11 (.455) with a HR vs. the LA starter and DJ Lemahieu is also 5-11 against Anderson. Trevor Story could be in line for a big night too as he has hit 4 HR in his last 7 games.
August 9th NL Free Pick Betting
The ‘over’ is very tempting tonight with the talent of both of these offenses but it’s hard to pull the trigger considering the squads have been involved in low scoring affairs lately. The Dodgers have owned Colorado recently which is why 68% of the public is liking LA tonight. Colorado hasn’t been the best at home (28-26) but it’s going to be an electric weekend at Coors Field – starting tonight.
Free Pick: Colorado Rockies +108
