After splitting a doubleheader on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers (31-21 SU, +1.81 Units) and the Colorado Rockies (23-28 SU, -1.98 Units) will be back at it on Wednesday night in what could be a long game for the two starting pitchers.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Young Michael Bolsinger has never thrown 100 pitches in a game before in his career, but we are going to probably find out whether he can do just that on Wednesday night after the LA bullpen was called into huge duty on Tuesday.
Bolsinger though, has proven that he can be economical, and that's a huge deal. He hasn't averaged more than 16.2 pitches per inning in any start this year, and though his 7.18 K/9 isn't all that impressive, in this particular start, just getting as many outs as possible is going to be the almighty key.
We're really worried about Chad Bettis in this game as well. Bettis has tossed 8.0 and 8.1 innings in his last two outings, and he is going to be pitching on regular rest for the fifth consecutive start. This is a man who is only 26 years old, and the Rockies are still trying to be conservative with his arm.
Betting too, has been economical though, averaging 13.0, 12.5 and 14.8 pitches per inning in his last three starts combined, but he could be challenged by a patient LA lineup.
ADVANCED STATS
Pitches per plate appearance might be the most important stat in this game from a live betting standpoint, and the edge from that perspective clearly goes to the Dodgers. Joc Pederson, Howie Kendrick and Adrian Gonzalez all rank in the Top 30 in the National League in pitches seen per plate appearance, and if they can each eat up four pitches per at bat against Bettis in this one, it would go a long way towards getting him out of the game in the middle innings to put even more stress on the Colorado bullpen.
Colorado doesn't have a single player in its lineup who ranks in the Top 60 in the league in pitches seen per plate appearance, which could be devastating against the efficient Bolsinger.
TALKING BULLPENS
Gulp. To say that Tuesday wasn't a good day for the Dodgers' bullpen is an understatement. The unit had to pitch nine innings, and it took eight different arms to get the job done. Keep a really close eye on the names Adam Liberatore and Ian Thomas. These two men both threw a lot of pitches on Tuesday and probably aren't going to be available in this game.
There are greater issues as well. J.P. Howell has pitched on consecutive days, and he hasn't pitched three days in a row all season long. Yimi Garcia has pitched three times in four days. Chris Hatcher has given up at least two base runners and at least one run in four consecutive outings.
With both Pedro Baez, Paco Rodriguez and Joel Peralta on the disabled list as well, it's easy to tell that Bolsinger really needs to go deep in this one.
The Rockies might not be in much better shape. Rafael Betancourt clearly won't be available for this game after pitching in both halves of the doubleheader on Tuesday (and getting blasted for four runs in the second game in a save opportunity). Boone Logan was used in both games as well.
John Axford might not be a good man to wait to bet on either in the back of the Rockies' pen, as he labored through 22 pitches yesterday and has thrown at least 19 pitches in three of the last four days. Brooks Brown has pitched in three of the last four games, as has Scott Oberg.
The moral of the story here is that these bullpens are beaten the heck up on both sides. Wagering on the over as the game wears on in live betting is probably a great idea.
The MLB lines for this Wednesday contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here, and deposit at BookMaker now! The ballgame pitting the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Colorado Rockies will commence Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 8:10 p.m. ET at Coors Field in Denver, CO. You can watch the contest live on ESPN2.
