Friday May 17th NL Free Pick: Rockies at Phillies
Is Philadelphia Slumping Or Did They Just Run Into a Tough Milwaukee Team?
Bettors might not have a lot of confidence on Philadelphia -125 in the May 17th NL free pick considering Gabe Kapler’s team has dropped three in a row. Not only are the Phillies in a losing streak, they were outscored 22-6 in those games. The losses came at home – but against a surging Milwaukee team. Colorado comes to Citizens Bank Park on Friday with a .500 record on the road (11-11). Can the potent Rockies offense duplicate what the Brewers just did to Philadelphia pitching?
Rockies Get a Roster Boost Friday?
Colorado is 20-22 on the season but already 7.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. Thus the Rockies consider this a crossroads in their season and have called up top prospect Brendan Rodgers starting with the Philadelphia series. The Rockies still have a top 10 offense (partly due to playing at Coors Field) and have scored at least five runs in 7 of 10 games. Rodgers hit .356 with 9 HR in 35 games at Triple A and Bud Black wants the young infielder to contribute immediately, replacing all-star DJ LeMahieu who left in the offseason.
So the Rockies offense could see a bit of a boost in the May 17th NL free pick with the ballyhooed youngster finally in the majors. Do they even need it though? Charlie Blackmon is on a tear with 4HR in the past 5 games and Trevor Story has gone a respectable 8 for his last 24 while scoring 6 runs. Plus, Jon Gray is on the hill and he held the Phillies to just 2 hits in 6 IP when the teams met up in Denver on April 21st. Gray has allowed 5ER in each of his last two road starts however. Believe it or not though, Colorado won both of those games and are 6-1 in Gray’s last 7 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Phillies Aim to Put the Milwaukee Series Behind Them
Philadelphia has to just chalk up their three game losing streak to getting bettered by a Brewers team that has won 10 of their last 13 games. The Phillies did score a 7-4 win Thursday in the opener of that 4-game series but for the most part their bats were stifled, scoring just 6 runs total on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Philadelphia offense was also put in its place the last time they faced Gray, managing just 2 hits vs. the Colorado starter on April 21st. Andrew McCutchen is 8-17 (.471) in his career vs. Gray however. What the Philadelphia offense really needs is Bryce Harper to start coming to life as he’s just 4 for his last 24 with just 5 total bases over that span.
Cole Irvin gets the ball for Philadelphia on Friday night. The left-hander made his major league debut last Sunday and didn’t show any jitters at all, allowing just 1ER on 5 hits to Kansas City over 7.0 IP. Can the youngster continue that success in his first home start or was his efficiency last time out just a product of playing the Royals?
May 17th NL Free Pick Betting
This game could be a dog fight considering the Rockies offense should be able to get something going against the youngster Irvin. The Phillies almost have to be better at the plate than they were against Milwaukee, and Gray has been known to be touched up a bit on the road this year. The side could go either way, but in doing so there should be plenty of runs scored.
NL Free Pick: Rockies / Phillies *Over* 9
