Dodgers -1.5(-133)
Dodgers vs. Rockies Expert MLB Predictions and Odds Preview (Archive)
It’s a clash of NL West rivals on the diamond in the Mile-High City as the second half of the season gets underway in earnest. The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the road as they kick off a three-game set with the Colorado Rockies Friday night. Los Angeles took two of three at home from Arizona as they won the rubber game of the set, 7-4, on Sunday afternoon in their most recent contest. Colorado claimed two of three on the road from San Diego, earning a rare road series victory, as they prevailed 3-1 in the series finale Sunday afternoon. In the season series, the Dodgers own a 6-1 advantage, including a three-game sweep at home April 13-15 in the most recent set between the teams. Let’s see where the value is for our MLB picks.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies
Friday, July 16, 2021 – 08:40 PM EDT at Coors Field
Los Angeles won their final two games heading into the All-Star break after a stretch where they dropped four of five as they piled up 29 runs in those games against Arizona. The Dodgers enter this game second in the NL West, two games behind the Giants for the top spot in the division. They do own the top wild card spot in the NL, holding a four-game lead over the second wild card spot, held by San Diego. On Sunday, Los Angeles got three hits from Mookie Betts (three runs, RBI) and Max Muncy (two runs, three RBI) while Chris Taylor (RBI) added two. Betts (his 13th) and Muncy (his 19th) each homered with Muncy’s shot a walk-off three-run bomb in the ninth as the Dodgers rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the eighth inning. Tony Gonsolin didn’t factor in the decision as he threw four innings, allowing one run on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts, before departing. Kenley Jansen (1-2), the seventh Dodgers pitcher, earned the win with a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit with no walks or strikeouts.
Walker Buehler is expected to get the call for his 19th start of the season for the Dodgers here. He comes in 9-1 with a 2.36 ERA, a 0.918 WHIP, 26 walks and 114 strikeouts over 114.1 innings of work this season. Buehler earned the win in his last start, which came Saturday at home against the Diamondbacks. He threw six innings, allowing no runs on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in a game the Dodgers went on win 22-1. Pitching on the road this season, Buehler has a 3-0 record with a 2.44 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, seven walks and 40 strikeouts over 44.1 innings of work in seven starts. Buehler makes his 18th career appearance and 14th start against the Rockies in this contest. He comes in 5-2 with a 3.99 ERA, a 1.062 WHIP, 21 walks and 91 strikeouts over 85.2 innings of work against them. Buehler is 1-1 with a 4.78 ERA, a 1.407 WHIP, 12 walks and 30 strikeouts over 37.2 innings in eight career appearances, six starts, at Coors Field.
The Rockies enter this game fourth in the NL West, 18 games behind the Giants for the top spot. In the wild card race, Colorado is 12 games behind the Padres for the second wild card spot. On Sunday, Colorado got three hits from C.J. Cron (run, RBI) while Garrett Hampson (run), Elias Diaz and Josh Fuentes each had two hits. Cron (his 12th) and Chris Owings (his first) each homered in the victory for the Rockies. Jon Gray (6-6) earned the win as he threw six innings, allowing one run on three hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Daniel Bard worked a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit and striking out two, for his 14th save.
Antonio Senzatela takes the hill for the Rockies in this contest as he makes his 18th start of the season here. He comes in 2-8 with a 4.58 ERA, a 1.399 WHIP, 21 walks and 65 strikeouts over 94.1 innings of work. Senzatela took the loss in his last start, which came on the road against the Diamondbacks last Wednesday. He threw six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts in an eventual 6-4 Rockies loss. Pitching at Coors Field this season, Senzatela is 2-3 with a 3.75 ERA, a 1.217 WHIP, 11 walks and 35 strikeouts over 60 innings of work in 10 starts. Senzatela makes his 13th career appearance and 11th start against the Dodgers in this contest. He comes in 3-5 with a 7.08 ERA, a 1.759 WHIP, 21 walks and 29 strikeouts over 48.1 innings of work. Senzatela is 23-12 with a 4.68 ERA, a 1.372 WHIP, 83 walks and 182 strikeouts over 280.2 innings in 56 career appearances, 44 starts, at Coors Field.
The Rockies may have won three of their final four, including a pair of games on the road against the Padres, but this is a different situation. Sure, Colorado is at home here, but Senzatela has been roughed up over the course of his career by the Dodgers. Buehler has just one loss on the season and that came in a game where the Dodgers were no-hit last month. Los Angeles won’t overlook the Rockies, as we’ve seen them win six of the seven meetings on the year, with a series with the Giants starting early next week. The Dodgers are rested and ready to go here so back them at top sportsbooks. Buehler shuts things down and the Dodgers’ bats batter the Rockies into submission as they get the victory.
Free MLB Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (-133) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
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