ODDS ANALYSIS
The Colorado Rockies appear to be in the midst of at least a modest turnaround, winning their third straight game Monday in the series opener and for the fourth time in six games. The Rockies scored 7.3 runs while hitting .321 during the streak with both losses coming after they scored eight runs in each. The over is 5-1 during that span and 13-9 on the road with the Rockies being a solid over play all season at 24-18-1. Colorado is up 2.51 units on the moneyline during their six-game stretch but for the year they are in the red 4.99 units.
It’s been 17 years since the Reds lost this many games consecutively. Handed a 5-4 loss Monday by the Rockies, the Reds saw their skid reach nine games, even though they were better offensively. Cincinnati was down 9.83 units on the moneyline during its nine-game slide and is in the red 8.94 units for the season. The Reds have been better offensively at home with those numbers reflected in the run totals. The teams exceeded the total Monday and the over is 4-0-1 in the Reds’ last five home games and 10-6-3 on the season.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Colorado’s Kyle Kendrick (1-6, 6.58 ERA) gave up five hits and four runs over 6.1 innings in a loss to the Giants his last turn. He’s had to pitch nearly perfect of late. The Rockies have scored just two runs with him in the game over his last three starts – one of the reasons why he’s still searching for his first win since Opening Day.
Kendrick is 1-2 with a 4.07 ERA in four lifetime starts at Great America Ballpark and owns a 3-4 overall record in 10 games – nine starts – against the Reds.
Mike Leake (2-3, 4.14 ERA) struggled with his control Friday in a loss to the Indians giving up three straight walks and five overall for the first time in his career. He was touched for five runs and seven hits over four innings in his shortest outing of the season. He’s allowed four home runs and 14 runs in nine innings over his last two starts.
Leake has given up 28 hits and 11 runs in 15.1 innings for a 6.46 ERA over three career starts against the Rockies.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I don’t feel like we’ve really created a winning environment. We’ve earned our nine-game losing streak. We’re capable of playing better. It makes it hard to find enjoyment and peace.” – Reds manager Bryan Price after his team’s ninth straight loss
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
It’s never a stretch to say there’ll be a few home runs hit in a Rockies game. But that usually happens when they play at Coors Field, not on the road. A matchup between pitchers who serve up the long ball and teams that can hit it takes place, so expect some fireworks in a yard that has seen its share of fly balls clear the outfield fence. Colorado’s Kyle Kendrick has allowed 11 homers and Cincinnati’s Mike Leake has surrendered 10, both are among the most in the National League. The Rockies have 11 players with multiple home runs and the Reds are second in the NL, led by Todd Frazier, who trails only Bryce Harper for the NL lead. So don’t be surprised if a few leave the yard.
PROP TALK
One of the brightest young players in baseball resides in relative obscurity at third base in Colorado. Nolan Arenado was mired in a slump that saw his average plummet to .257 but a couple of huge games have him back on track. Arenado had four hits Sunday against the Giants and was a double shy of hitting for the cycle. He followed that with a three-hit game in the series opener, stroking a pair of singles and his ninth home run of the year giving him seven hits, including two homers, in nine at-bats in back-to-back games raising his average to .287. The guy has proven to be a streaky hitter over his career and he’s on a roll. Watch for a few hits off Mike Leake and don’t be surprised if he goes yard.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Rockies have found a bit of rhythm and they’re doing it without contributions from the two biggest names on the roster – Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez. A young pitching staff has performed remarkably well and Nolan Arenado is a budding superstar. This team isn’t going to win a World Series title but they are scrambling to get out of the basement in the NL West. They are fun to watch and they get past the Reds.
A season with such promise is crumbling fast for the Reds. The team endured its longest losing streak in 17 years and now, if things couldn’t get any worse, they face the possibility ace Johnny Cueto could miss some extended time with soreness in his elbow. The Reds have struggled at the plate and on the mound, which is usually the case with struggling teams, and that’s what the Reds are. When Cueto has a higher batting average than Jay Bruce, Billy Hamilton, Marlon Byrd and Devin Mesoraco things are not going well.
Colorado 7, Cincinnati 5
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Colorado Rockies versus the Cincinnati Reds will commence Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at 12:35 p.m. ET at Great American Ball Park. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
