Time Running Out on Fading Giants as Rockies Visit

The San Francisco and Colorado Rockies, two of the National League’s most underwhelming clubs, open a four-game series on Friday (10:15 p.m. ET) at Oracle Park. Colorado took two of three from San Francisco last week to improve to 3-6 against the Giants this season.

Kyle Freeland opposes fellow left-hander Kyle Harrison in the opener.

• San Francisco is -1.5 (+120) on the run line and a -185 moneyline favorite, with Colorado +1.5 (-142) and +154.
• The projected total is 8 with a slight edge to the Under at -118 odds.

The Giants are also -250 favorites to win the series, compared to +210 for the Rockies.

What can bettors expect? Before making your Rockies vs Giants picks, check out our series preview.

Rockies vs Giants Betting Trends

The Colorado Rockies are 52-51 against the run line, including 23-27 away from home. Colorado has fared slightly better for Over/Under bettors, going 53-48-2. That includes 8-4 over the last 12 games.

The San Francisco Giants, meanwhile, are just 48-56 against the run line. Their 46.2% cover rate is among the lowest in baseball. As for the Over/Under, San Francisco is 55-46-3.

That’s important to remember when making your Rockies vs Giants picks.

Down and Out

What could go wrong, has gone wrong for the Rockies. Even after taking two of three from both San Francisco and Boston on its recent six-game homestand, Colorado still owns the second-worst record in the National League at 38-65.

Sitting a whopping 16.0 games out of the wild card, it has practically no chance of making the MLB postseason. Thus, the second half projects to be rather meaningless.

The Rockies will be sellers at the July 30 trade deadline, though they’ve reportedly already decided to hold onto third baseman Ryan McMahon. McMahon, hitting .270 with 15 homers and 47 RBI, was named to his first All-Star team earlier this month.

Despite playing half its games in hitter-friendly Coors Field, Colorado ranks only 16th in runs scored. Its most productive day at the plate came in Wednesday’s 20-7 win over Boston, in which it collected 21 hits and tied a franchise record for runs. The Rockies slugged four homers, including a grand slam by outfielder Brendon Doyle.

Unsurprisingly, the Rockies have hit the Over at a 52.5% clip, including eight times in their last 12 MLB games.

Sellers’ Market

San Francisco is fading fast, having lost five of seven since the All-Star break. With the Giants now sitting fourth place in the National League West at 49-55, 5.5 games out of the wild card, management may have no choice but to sell at the trade deadline.

Left-hander Blake Snell, who is projected to start the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, is reportedly drawing significant trade interest along with outfielders Michael Conforto and Mike Yastrzemski.

As it is, San Francisco’s minus-32 run differential doesn’t offer much hope for a turnaround. The Giants are just 15th in the majors in runs and have hit the sixth-fewest homers of any MLB team, with 102. Injuries are partially to blame, though the Giants also haven’t gotten much production from high-priced veterans like Jorge Soler (11 HR, .706 OPS).

At this rate, matching their projected win total of 83.5 seems very unlikely. Their MLB odds to win the World Series have cratered to +18000.

The Giants have been profitable for some bettors in spite of that, going 55-46-3 against the Over/Under. That includes 7-3 in their last 10 games at Oracle Park. Their 54.5% cover rate is seventh-best in baseball.

Series Probables

Game 1

• Friday, 10:15 p.m. ET
• Kyle Freeland vs Kyle Harrison

Freeland faced San Francisco in his most recent outing, giving up three runs (two earned) over six innings in a 4-3 win last Saturday. It was Freeland’s second straight victory, as the left-hander lowered his ERA to 5.63.

He’s fared far worse on the road (9.38 ERA) compared to at home (1.88 ERA), though his numbers are a tad obscured by his Opening Day start against Arizona (10 ER allowed in 2.1 innings).

San Francisco counters with a southpaw of its own in Harrison, who is 5-4 with a 3.86 ERA. The 22-year-old rookie threw five shutout innings against Colorado last Friday and has given up only one run over his last 10.1 frames. Harrison also faced the Rockies on May 12 (5 innings, 3 ER).

Keep that in mind when making your MLB game predictions.

Game 2

• Saturday, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Ryan Feltner vs Blake Snell

Feltner’s overall numbers (1-10, 5.19 ERA) are ugly, though he’s appeared to turn a corner of late. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 2.83 ERA over his last five starts, raising the possibility that he could get moved at next week’s trade deadline. His last appearance was a 3-2 loss to San Francisco in which he allowed only two runs over seven innings.

Snell is starting to round into form after a pair of trips to the MLB injured list, pitching to a 1.00 ERA in three starts this month. The reigning NL Cy Young winner is still searching for his first win as a Giant (0-3, 5.83 ERA).

Game 3

• Saturday, 10:35 p.m. ET
• TBD vs Hayden Birdsong

Birdsong is being called up from Single-A San Jose to start the second game of the twi-night doubleheader. The 22-year-old right-hander was sent down to the minors even after his last start in which he struck out 12 Rockies over six innings. He improved to 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA over his first five appearances since making his Major League debut on June 26.

The Giants have yet to name a starter opposite him. Be sure to keep an eye on that before making your Rockies vs Giants picks, as it can swing the MLB odds.

Game 4

• Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
• Austin Gomber vs TBD

After a spectacular May in which he allowed only three runs (two earned) over 26.2 innings, Gomber has struggled mightily over the last two months. The southpaw’s ERA has climbed back to 4.70 ERA. Home runs (19 allowed in 105.1 innings) have been a big issue.

For current MLB scores, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Dodgers Look to Stay Hot Against First-Place Astros
• Miami Marlins at Milwaukee Brewers Series Preview and Odds
• Pirates and D’Backs Fight For NL Wild Card Spot
• Twins Face Tigers In Battle Of AL Central Rivals
• Can The Reds Win Series at Tampa Bay For First Time Since 2011

Subscribe to get

Thank you for subscribing