The struggling Colorado Rockies (28-35 SU, -3.33 Units) will look to claw out of a hole on Thursday afternoon when they finish a four-game home-and-home series with the Houston Astros (37-28 SU, +7.20 Units).
ODDS ANALYSIS
This is very likely going to end up being the eleventh consecutive game in which the Rockies have been underdogs. So far, eight of those games have been completed, and five of the last six have ended in losses. Bettors have dropped 3.82 units on Colorado since June 10.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Collin McHugh's stats have taken a steep drop in the wrong direction of late. He allowed eight runs in just three innings in a bad loss to Seattle in his last start, and that shockingly raised his ERA all the way up to 5.08.
Still, the righty has issued just 16 walks in 79.2 innings against 62 strikeouts, and if he keeps those splits up and continues to throw strikes at a high rate, he'll be just fine.
David Hale is scheduled to make his fifth start for the big league Rockies on Thursday afternoon. He has been okay, though nothing spectacular in his previous four starts.
It should be noted that Colorado has been in every game which he has pitched, as he hasn't given up more than four runs in any outing. Of course, he hasn't allowed fewer than three in any of those four games as well, which gives a pretty good indication of what could be to come in this one.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Kind of go back to the drawing board. You got to fix something. I got to figure something out. It's frustrating because my stuff's not very sharp right now. But my body feels good, my arm feels good." – Astros starter Collin McHugh on what he needs to do to fix his current woes
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Over the course of these last six games which have gone so poorly, the Rockies have not scored a single run in the last two innings of play. Almost more impressive than that is the fact that they only have a total of two hits in the eighth and ninth innings in those duels.
Yes, the Astros don't have the greatest bullpen on the face of the earth, but Colorado has a real problem at the tail ends of games at the moment.
PROP TALK
Hale isn't a big strikeout guy at all, but he is going to get the benefit of pitching against a lineup which strikes out a ton. Evan Gattis and Chris Carter have been better of late avoiding the punch out, but if you can get less than a total of five strikeouts on Hale, you have to take his over.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Astros have been sliding on the road just a bit. They might have gotten things worked out in this short home stand, and playing against the Rocks will certainly help.
Still, until McHugh gets his stuff figured out, we aren't keen to back him. The Rockies could scratch four or five runs together in this one, and if they do that, we have confidence that Hale can do the rest and once again keep them in it.
Colorado 5, Houston 3
The baseball betting odds for this Thursday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies will start at 3:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at Coors Field in Denver, CO.
