Rockies Are Favorites in MLB Odds to Close Out Series vs Reds

Rockies Are Favorites in MLB Odds to Close Out Series vs Reds

Written by on June 7, 2018

The Colorado Rockies shouldn’t be above .500 because their run differential is well into the negative. But there the Rockies are battling for the NL West title. They play their final game of the season in Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon to close out a series vs. the NL Central cellar-dwelling Reds. Colorado is favorite in the MLB odds for this series finale.

How to Bet Rockies at Reds MLB Odds & Game Info – June 7th

When: Thursday, 12:35 PM ET Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati Probable pitchers (away/home):  Tyler Anderson/Tyler Mahle TV: MLB Extra Innings Stream: MLB.tv Radio: 850 AM (Colorado) / 700 AM (Cincinnati) Opening MLB Odds: Rockies -110, Reds +110 (9)

Why Bet on Colorado?

It has been an interesting season for Ian Desmond. His .196/.248/.387 slashline is an indication of his struggles. But his nine home runs and 28 RBI (the RBIs rank third on the Rockies, two ahead of Charlie Blackmon) also show that Desmond has found a way to contribute when it matters most. He has five home runs that led directly to Rockies wins. Meanwhile, Bryan Shaw was brought in to help stabilize the back end of the Rockies bullpen this offseason. However, the veteran right-hander is doing more at the moment to hurt the Rockies than help them. On Tuesday in the opener against the Reds, Shaw was brought in with a 9-3 Rockies lead in the bottom of the ninth. He gave up five hits and three runs and couldn’t even finish the inning before Wade Davis was summoned to finish the game and preserve a 9-6 Colorado win.  That’s a game where you don’t want to use your closer. In his last seven games, he has a 16.50 ERA and has given up 16 hits in six innings of work. His WHIP during that time has swelled to 2.67. Opponents are hitting .325 against Shaw this season. The Rockies allowed 17 hits in Game 1 vs. the Reds, the fifth time since 2017 they’ve allowed 17 hits in a game and won (last: June 15, 2017 vs. San Francisco). Nolan Arenado ranks second in the NL with a .580 slugging percentage and a .421 on-base percentage, fifth with a .327 batting average (67-for-205).

Who Will Take the Bump for Colorado?

It’s lefty Tyler Anderson on the bump here. Anderson (3-1, 5.07) allowed five runs on seven hits in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Friday, striking out four and walking three in five innings. Anderson allowed five runs for the second time in his last three outings. After putting up a 1.88 ERA across five starts in April, Anderson had a 5.28 ERA in five May starts. Anderson will be making his third career start against the Reds, his second of the season. He did not factor in the Rockies’ 6-5 loss against the Reds on May 26 after allowing three runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts over six innings of work. Overall against Cincinnati, he is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA (12.0 IP, 5 ER).

Why Bet on Cincinnati?

Are the Reds a safe bet against the Rockies? Scooter Gennett in May (.398, 8 HR, 24 RBI) became the first Reds player to win the National League Player of the Month Award since Jay Bruce in May 2011. It was Gennett’s first career monthly award. Gennett finished May ranked first in the NL in slugging (.720), second in hitting (.398), third in RBI (24), T3rd in HR (8), fourth in hits (37) and on-base percentage (.418) and T7th in extra-base hits (14). He has kept right on hitting so far in June. Gennett and Eugenio Suárez (8 HR, 29 RBI) became the first Reds teammates to produce at least 8 HR and 24 RBI in the same month since Adam Dunn (12 HR, 27 RBI) and Ken Griffey Jr. (11 HR, 29 RBI) did it in August 2001.

Who Starts for the Reds?

The Reds start rookie Tyler Mahle (4-6, 4.38). Mahle got the win against the Padres on Friday, scattering five hits and giving up no earned runs over five innings, striking out five and walking two in a 7-2 victory. Mahle had been hit with four earned runs in each of his last three starts prior to this one, but the right-hander was able to bag his fourth win of the season with this strong effort against the Padres. He’s managed a respectable 61 strikeouts in his 63.2 innings. Mahle took a no-decision in Colorado on May 26, allowing four runs over six innings. Mahle ranks second in the Major Leagues in strikeouts among all pitchers age 23 and younger. His career-high 11 strikeouts on April 24 vs Atlanta are the most by a Reds pitcher this season. Mahle’s 4 quality starts are tied with Luis Castillo for the staff lead.

Latest MLB Odds Trends

  • Colorado is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
  • Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado’s last 5 games
  • Cincinnati is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
  • Cincinnati is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games

Expert MLB Betting Prediction

Take the Rockies as they have won five of Anderson’s past six road starts.