Colorado (3-9) at San Francisco (4-9)
When: Thursday, April 11th, 2019
Where: AT&T Park,
San Francisco, CA
Time: 9:45 ET | TV: NBCS California,
AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain
Opening Odds: Colorado -119/7.5
The bottom-feeders of the National League West will try and get things going again as the Colorado Rockies visit the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a four-game weekend series Thursday at AT&T Park. Colorado, who sits in last place in the division, have struggled more so lately, dropping five in a row and nine of 10 before snow postponed their final game versus Atlanta on Wednesday. The Rockies usually potent offense has averaged just 3.17 runs a game, ranking 26th in the league, while their staff ERA is a hefty 5.52 after allowing 44 runs in their 0-5 homestand against the L.A. Dodgers and Braves. Superstar Nolan Arenado, who has at least 37 home runs in each of the last four seasons, has yet to go yard in 2019 and is hitting just .277 with three extra-base hits. San Francisco’s offense is struggling as well, but not recently acquired Kevin Pillar. The former Toronto Blue Jay had a big series this week versus San Diego, homering twice and driving in nine of the Giants’ 13 runs the past three games. San Fran’s pitching ranks in the top 10 in MLB in ERA and WHIP, but the offense is scoring less than three runs a game (2.92) and hitting just .206 as a team. First baseman Brandon Belt is just 1-for-11 with five strikeouts in the last four games after getting a hit in the previous five games.
Pitchers: Rockies – Jon Gray (0-2, 5.68 ERA) | Giants – Jeff Samardzija (0-0, 2.79)
Jon Gray will make his third start after uneven results in his first two. Gray allowed five runs on eight hits in six innings of a 7-2 loss to the Dodgers last week after striking out 10 Miami Marlins in 6.2 innings on March 31st. The former No. 3 overall draft pick in 2013 has allowed a home run in a franchise-record 14 straight starts. Gray will make his seventh appearance versus San Francisco and is looking for his first win, going 0-2 with a 6.15 ERA.
Jeff Samardzija usually doesn’t get much run support from his offense, evident of his team’s 3-13 mark in his last 16 starts, but was taken off the hook in his last outing when the Giants scored a 6-4 win over Tampa Bay. Samardzija allowed six hits and three runs in just 4.2 innings against the Rays after limiting the Padres to zero earned runs in his first start over five frames. He owns a 4-6 record and 4.00 ERA in 17 career appearances (13 starts) against Colorado.
Both teams are really struggling right now, but I trust the Colorado offense to break-out before San Francisco’s. The Rockies had a horrible homestand, but the day off and getting back on the road might be the best medicine.
Bobby Babowski has three plays today on his Free MLB Picks page. He is 24-13 +939 Units on the season.
Pick: Rockies -122
BETTING TRENDS:
Rockies are 5-2 in their last 7 Thursday games.
Rockies are 25-10 in their last 35 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Rockies are 1-4 in their last 5 road games.
Rockies are 1-4 in their last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Rockies are 1-6 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Rockies are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. National League West.
Rockies are 0-5 in their last 5 overall.
Rockies are 0-7 in their last 7 games on grass.
Rockies are 4-1 in Gray’s last 5 Thursday starts.
Rockies are 9-3 in Gray’s last 12 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Rockies are 2-5 in Gray’s last 7 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Rockies are 1-4 in Gray’s last 5 starts.
Rockies are 1-4 in Gray’s last 5 starts on grass.
Giants are 16-37 in their last 53 overall.
Giants are 16-37 in their last 53 games on grass.
Giants are 2-5 in their last 7 Thursday games.
Giants are 8-23 in their last 31 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Giants are 3-10 in their last 13 vs. National League West.
Giants are 2-7 in their last 9 home games.
Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Giants are 1-5 in their last 6 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Giants are 1-6 in their last 7 during game 1 of a series.
Giants are 5-2 in Samardzija’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Giants are 2-5 in Samardzija’s last 7 home starts.
Giants are 3-13 in Samardzija’s last 16 starts.
Giants are 3-13 in Samardzija’s last 16 starts on grass.
Giants are 1-5 in Samardzija’s last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.
Giants are 1-6 in Samardzija’s last 7 starts vs. National League West.
Under is 7-2-1 in Rockies last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 20-6-2 in Rockies last 28 road games.
Under is 9-3-2 in Rockies last 14 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 5-2-1 in Rockies last 8 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 5-2 in Rockies last 7 Thursday games.
Under is 34-16-1 in Rockies last 51 vs. National League West.
Under is 4-0 in Gray’s last 4 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Gray’s last 7 starts vs. National League West.
Over is 6-2 in Gray’s last 8 Thursday starts.
Over is 11-4-2 in Gray’s last 17 road starts.
Over is 5-2 in Gray’s last 7 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 6-1-1 in Giants last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 5-1-1 in Giants last 7 overall.
Over is 5-1-1 in Giants last 7 on grass.
Under is 8-2-1 in Giants last 11 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 14-5-2 in Giants last 21 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Under is 19-7-2 in Giants last 28 home games.
Under is 16-6-2 in Giants last 24 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 18-7-3 in Giants last 28 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 5-2 in Giants last 7 Thursday games.
Under is 34-16-2 in Giants last 52 vs. National League West.
Over is 3-0-1 in Samardzija’s last 4 starts during game 1 of a series.
Over is 5-1 in Samardzija’s last 6 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 5-1 in Samardzija’s last 6 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Samardzija’s last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Under is 5-2-1 in Samardzija’s last 8 starts vs. National League West.
Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 3-0-1 in Samardzija’s last 4 starts vs. Rockies.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in San Francisco.
Rockies are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
Over is 4-1 in Gray’s last 5 starts vs. Giants.
Under is 3-1-1 in Samardzija’s last 5 home starts vs. Rockies.
Rockies are 2-6 in the last 8 meetings in San Francisco.
Giants are 1-4 in Samardzija’s last 5 home starts vs. Rockies.
Giants are 1-6 in Samardzija’s last 7 starts vs. Rockies.
