The Colorado Rockies (51-64) meet the San Francisco Giants (74-41) Friday at Oracle Park for the second game of their four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Rockies vs. Giants odds with MLB picks and predictions.
San Francisco smoked Colorado in the series opener Friday 7-0 thanks in part to a scoreless 6 inning, 8 strikeout gem thrown by Giants starting RHP Logan Webb who allowed only 3 hits and 2 walks.
Season series: Giants lead 7-3.
RHP Austin Gomber takes the hill for the Rockies. Gomber is 9-6 with a 3.79 ERA (97 1/3 IP, 41 ER), 1.09 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 19 starts.
- Last outing: Win, 7-4, with 6 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 0 BB and 9 K Saturday against the Miami Marlins.
- Gomber is 0-2 this year against San Francisco with a 12.38 ERA (8 IP, 11 ER), 8 H, 8 BB and 8 K in two starts.
- vs. Giants on the current roster (37 PA): 3.89 FIP with a .233 batting average (BA), .317 wOBA, .247 expected slugging percentage (xSLG), 21.6 K% and 88.3 mph exit velocity (EV).
RHP Anthony DeSclafani is San Francisco’s projected starter. DeSclafani is 10-5 with a 3.28 ERA (126 1/3 IP, 46 ER), 1.07 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 22 starts.
- Last outing: No-decision with 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 1 BB and 5 K in San Francisco’s 11-8 victory Aug. 2 at the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- DeSclafani is 2-0 this season against Colorado with a 0.00 ERA (15 IP), 9 H, 2 BB and 17 K in two starts.
- vs. Rockies on the current roster (75 PA): 2.20 FIP with a .186 BA, .219 wOBA, .311 xSLG, 29.3 K% and 85.8 mph EV.
Rockies at Giants odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 4:19 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockies +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Giants -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rockies +1.5 (-125) | Giants -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Prediction
Giants 5, Rockies 1
Money line (ML)
PASS with a slight “lean” to the Giants (-220) because they are clearly the correct pick and should win this game outright. However, the obviousness of San Francisco in this spot is baked into the line which is too expensive for me.
Furthermore, the Giants are a massive favorite with a short total. This is another reason to not fade San Francisco because if oddsmakers are projecting a lower scoring game then it’s hard not to side with this heavy of a favorite.
That said, I’d entertain parlaying San Francisco’s money line with a similarly priced favorite to get a much better payout. I don’t see much value in playing the Giants (-220) straight up.
FANTASY BASEBALL: Serious about winning your league? Sign up for BaseballHQ.com to dominate the competition. Subscribe now!
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
“LEAN” to the GIANTS -1.5 (+100) for a half unit because they have the second-best cover rate in the MLB as a home favorite at 25-18 ATS and in games against NL West competition at 33-18 ATS. Also, the Rockies have a losing run line record on the road and against divisional foes.
However, my weariness about San Francisco’s run line here is because, again, oddsmakers have set a short total so if there are fewer runs to go around it’s harder to cash the GIANTS -1.5 (+100) bet.
Over/Under (O/U)
“LEAN” to the UNDER 7.5 (+100) for a half unit and I would wait until closer to the first pitch in hopes of getting an 8-run total since the market is backing the Over.
However, both bullpens rank in or around the top 10 in several advanced pitching metrics following the All-Star Break and Colorado’s lineup hasn’t been able to hit DeSclafani in their two earlier meetings.
Also, Gomber’s pitching peripherals aren’t too shabby and he’s been nuked in one outing vs. the Giants but only allowed 2 ER in their April 9 meeting.
Lastly, this total is suspiciously low considering the Over has cashed in six of the last seven Rockies-Giants meetings and San Francisco’s lineup ranking second in wRC+ at home.
For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]